Human

As a producer and songwriter, Ryan Tedder has remained atop contemporary trends since he began to ascend the industry ranks in the 2000s. Usually, that savvy eye and keen ear for whats hot has served him and his band OneRepublic well, amassing hit after hit in the pop mainstream. For their fifth studio set, 2021s Human, that approach mostly works. However, by including tracks that have been around since 2019, much of the effort feels like a time capsule of days gone by (especially in such an ever-changing genre) and, in a harsher sense, of dated material that can sound out of place when presented as a whole vision years later. Still, Tedder and company write such emotive and compelling songs that the asynchronous track listing can be overlooked by less critical listeners because they are so catchy. From their first single of 2019, Rescue Me, to 2021s Run, OneRepublic prove to be masters of the galloping, upbeat pop anthem, packing whistles, handclaps, throbbing basslines, and dance beats into every second of a song. Arenas, stadiums, clubs, and radio stations arent safe from their motivational charms and affirmations, making uplifting moments like Better Days and Someday irresistible in their sheer optimism (if one is into that sort of positivity). For fans of the classic OneRepublic sound -- think 2013s globe-conquering Native -- the yearning Distance and soulful Savior are standouts. Also of note is the sweeping midtempo ballad Somebody to Love, which was penned by JT Roach, the winner of the television songwriting competition Songland, which is hosted by Tedder and fellow producers Ester Dean and Shane McAnally. Overall, its no surprise that there arent many surprises on Human, just solid, inoffensive pop nuggets that soothe the soul and offer solace without challenging listeners with more than what real life throws at them each day. ~ Neil Z. Yeung

売れっ子ソングライター/プロデューサー、ライアン・テダー率いるバンドが5年ぶりにアルバムをリリース。今作もポップでソウルフルなダンス・ナンバーから感傷的なバラードまで、彼ららしいトレンドをうまく採り入れたメインストリーム・ポップの王道を行く楽曲が見事に並ぶ。そして注目はライアンのヴォーカル。ファルセットを多用しつつも抑制を効かせた声はどこか悟りを開いたかのようで、いちばんの聴きどころです。
bounce (C)赤瀧洋二