Ten is a kind of performers with completely seismic potential who simply can’t appear to search out materials as sturdy as his personal presence. Although I’ve loved many solo Ten songs, I’ve by no means cherished one. Stunner‘s very title appears to vow a turnaround, aiming to completely seize our consideration. It succeeds in suits and begins.
Over the previous 12 months or so, there’s been a giant re-emergence of early-2000’s Neptunes-style manufacturing — free, funky percussion that offers loads of house to construct a slinky observe round. Stunner flirts with this pattern, however it’s truly at its strongest in the course of the pre-choruses when it throws a extra strong sound behind Ten’s vocals. These moments of grandeur convey the kind of drama his solo work usually forgets. The rapid-fire phrasing of the refrain can be plenty of enjoyable, however may do with a extra galvanizing association.
With this in thoughts, Stunner improves because it goes on. The instrumental pulls in extra parts, giving the sense that the music is snowballing because it develops. This helps masks a collection of so-so hooks, as does Ten’s personal charisma as he lets the lyrics drip from his mouth with complete ease. I’m a bit uninterested in choruses that pull again relatively than explode, however Stunner is taut and targeted with moments of true pleasure.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Manufacturing | 8 |
| Longevity | 8 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8 |
Grade: B-
