A SHOCKINGLY UNDERWHELMING SOHPOMORE SLUMP
There’s no doubting the immense songwriting talent and musicianship of Jon McLaughlin. Early glimpses, for those in the know, during his independent days yielded a prodigy-like penchant for melody in his late teens that seemed destined for mainstream pop culture. And McLaughlin’s major label debut, Indiana, proved just that with hits like “Human” and “Beautiful Disaster” along with tour dates with Kelly Clarkson and an Oscar performance of “So Close” from Enchanted.
All of which makes OK Now, McLaughlin’s sophomore output on Island/Def Jam, even more disappointing. The bar stood at a significant height post-Indiana, and the ensuing thought was further seasoning and maturity would only enhance the Hoosier native’s distinct piano pop sound. Instead, what we’ve been given is a middling effort marked by out-of-step ’80s-tinged tracks and decent enough ballads.
The “are you sure this is Jon?” tracks are at highway safety worker levels in terms of easiness to spot. “Dance Your Life Away” would make Pat Benatar and Rick Springfield euphoric with its radical ’80s guitar licks. Of course, it’s intended to be that way with lines like “If we can’t dance on the ceiling, we’ll be dancing in the streets.” The other atrocity here, “You Can Never Go Back,” remembers the same far-out decade with its handclap synth work and cheesy chorus.
McLaughlin doesn’t completely veer off course. Lead single “Beating My Heart” rises and falls with his perfect falsetto. “We All Need Saving” stuns with its simplicity and vocal arrangements. “Smack Into You” could stand tall as one of his best ever if the silly verb of “smack” wasn’t a part of it. Instead, it’s a beautiful song scarred by a silly word choice.
No matter, McLaughlin is still a premiere talent and a young one at that. He will move on and so will his fan base. –Matt Conner