Single Selection: Kim Smith ~ Never Ever

I have barely gotten over my obsession with Kim Smith's ace (of base) song, Jealous (see here) and yet the clever fella is already back with another stunning & addictive effort, entitled Never Ever. Mercifully not a cover of the increasingly-dull-over-the-years All Saints "classic, rather this is a sparkling take on a tale as old as time - yet crafted in a way that is fresh, invigorating and compelling. The song spills from the always talented pens of Charlie Mason, the gorgeous Crush boys (Daniel Volpe & Thomas Lipp) and Måns Ek (who is also on production duties) & details how the protagonist of the tune used to be a bit of a cad, running around town, breaking hearts just to get a bit of booty action. Oh don't act so judgemental - we've all had our wild ways in our youth. I mean even I once kissed a girl (I didn't like it)! But back to the song - part of what makes it work are the way the lyrics tap into those emotions that are felt when an all encompassing love hits out of nowhere. You can't plan for it and you're usually not prepared for it, and all of a sudden your life - and you - are completely different. Weaving these thoughts & observations into the canny lyrical hook of "never ever" gives the song a refrain that places it firmly in the pop world (and ensuring it embeds firmly into your brain, causing you to sing along before the first play is even finished. Now that's catchy)! And of course, another reason the song works is that deliciously bouncy melody & the pumping remix given by J-Mi and Midi-D. It's all pulsating drum machine loops, addictive synth riffs and a percolating groove that will have you shimmying from sun down til dawn. Magnificent. But ultimately, it's Kim that brings the song to life with his beguiling vocals, injecting the lyrics with a studied heart and passion that is hard to resist. He effortlessly recreates the sounds of classic 80s synth bands yet manages to remain distinct with his own tonal qualities. He is the anchor of the song, holding together all the elements and steering them to an exhilarating conclusion. Hurrah...