Review Summary: The post-fame depression
Fame is an odd thing. One can quickly find themselves in the limelight almost overnight and then have the rug pulled under them as quickly as they got there. After two promotional singles that failed to reach a fraction of success that
Cooler Than Me and
Please Don’t Go had, a scrapped album, and features that reached little to no fame. Posner found himself coming to terms with his situation of being outside the spotlight and even finding comfort in it. The toned down production and straight honest of Posner’s lyrics help propel "The Truth" as an outstanding testament of a has been with everything to say and nothing left to lose.
I Took A Pill In Ibiza recounts Posner’s experience of trying a drug offered to him by a lone audience member of an Avicii concert who recognized him. Through the entourage of acoustic guitars and small electronic keys, Posner connects his feelings from the post-high depression of the “mystery pill” to his time as a star. Comparing the amazing high to his times on stage and being around fans disappearing when he steps away and loses those connections in a slow night atmosphere of a song.
Not That Simple and
Be As You Are explore similar themes of fame comedown, with both tracks equally excelling in the straight, honest nature of the record.
Not That Simple follows Posner’s relationship with a girl who faded from his life when his fame began to pick up. Their falling-out is something that Posner had come to terms with, yet her memories still remain like the echoes of the vocoded keys that ring throughout the track. It’s a sweet ballad that is refreshing for it’s style, no negative light is shone on the girl in question nor does it dabble too deeply in the melancholy of what could’ve been. The final track of the EP,
Be As You Are, recounts the time when Posner had a breakdown with his mother during one of his first tours. His stress and anxiety being alleviated by his mother who gives him words of encouragement. It’s a typical track lyrically for the “stay strong/true to yourself” style of songs, yet the staple “grand percussion” approach to the production feels genuine when accompanied by a piano and Posner’s overwhelming honesty.
It appears that Posner simply being straight-forward and truthful with himself paid off in the end, the remix for his track
I Took A Pill In Ibiza is currently sweeping the top 100 and the spotlight is beginning to thrust itself back on Posner. Where Posner will find himself with his sophomore record is uncertain, but if he can keep the same sensibility of honesty found here and find more ways to keep the standard soul-pop format fresh, then by all means does Posner deserve to find himself back in the airwaves of mainstream pop. Posner may be feeling the post-fame depression, but those cloudy days are soon over.
