Penelope Misceo
Staff Writer
Mike Posner’s new album, “A Real Good Kid,” presents listeners with emotional depth, while getting deeply personal.
“A Real Good Kid” depicts a touching and heartwrenching story, while also providing diverse sounds. The album, while sometimes showcasing upbeat sounds, also intertwines emotional depth and a personal narrative of Posner’s life.
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Mike Posner began his career in 2008. He has released 8 albums, all of which fall under the electro pop and folk pop genre. His debut album, “31 Minutes to Takeoff,” included the Billboard Top 100 hit song, “Cooler Than Me.” Posner has also collaborated with DJs, including the late Aviici.
“A Real Good Kid” is Posner’s eighth studio album and consists of 12 tracks. The album was released on January 18 by Universal Island Records. It was produced by Mike Posner and Ricky Reed. The album, divergent from his previous albums, falls under the Indie/Alternative genre.
The album is a deeply personal memoir, telling the story of Posner’s life following the death of his father. Some tracks are somber, while others are more upbeat and hopeful, more traditional to Posner’s typical sound. However, each track consistently discusses heavy topics and all relates to personal struggles Posner has faced.
Posner begins his album with an “Introduction” track, which is a spoken-word track that describes the length of the album, and vaguely describes the album’s deeply personal value to Posner. Following the introduction is “January 11th, 2017”, which explicitly describes the aftermath of the death of Posner’s father. The track utilizes its impassioned content and connects with the listener through its vivid and raw lyrics.
“A Real Good Kid” sharply connects all of its tracks, while also diversifying its sound and ambience. Some tracks, such as “Drip”, are intensely private and personal, including lyrics which clearly express Posner’s distress and struggles. Other tracks, such as “Move On” and “Perfect”, provide emotional depth, but also consist of more upbeat sounds, suggesting hopefulness.
Posner’s biggest strength in “A Real Good Kid” is his ability to connect with his listeners on a personal level. The intensity of the album emphasizes this connection and creates a lasting impact on the listener. Although each track has its own unique sound, the album feels purposefully cohesive.
“A Real Good Kid” is a strong and provacetive release from Mike Posner. The consistent emotional depth resonates with the listener, as well as connects them to the artist on a more personal level. With diverse sounds and a powerful intent, the release is worthy of a in-depth listen.
Released on Jan. 18, “A Real Good Kid” is available for stream on Spotify and Apple Music, and can be purchased on Itunes and Youtube.
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