McFly - Shine A Light: shit or hit?
19 comments | Published by Olly Meakings |
*Please note that the following is based on one listen of the song and a memory ravaged by alcohol abuse. It could all be wrong.*
Here’s a review from the second song we heard at the exclusive McFly album launch for the track Shine A Light, penned with Taio Cruz. Before playing it, the boys described the process of the creating the song “like working backwards” - building up from beats, bass lines and drum sounds in the studio, rather than their trademark low-fi approach, working from a piano, creating a complete song before adding the various bells and whistles.
Shine A Light is set to be the boy’s second single from the new album, sounding bigger than the musical output of albums one to four combined, (try to) forget twee charming songs like All About You, because this is a massive sounding uptempo number which, despite sounding more ‘McFly’ and organic than Party Girl, continues that theme. Although we’re going to say it’s actually better.
It has more punch than a school disco, a soaring high-pitch vocal in the verses and a massive Shine a light on her / Shine a light on her / Shine on her / If anybody sees her chorus. That chorus also comes complete with sing-a-long Eh-Eh-Ehs that fans of Rihanna’s Umbrella will be familiar with, and should translate into a life-changing pop moment in a live setting. So pretty good then, and there’s more…
It also sounds like a song containing hidden gems that are the reward for repeat listens - but obviously having heard it only once it is rather difficult to know if that’s the case. We’re labelling this as ‘probable’.
If we wanted to say something negative about Shine A Light, we’d claim it’s a calculated attempt to sound current at all costs (synthy radio friendly monster track are sort of the ‘in’ thing right about now), but the quality of the production, the vocal delivery and the song’s dynamic and exciting form (whilst still being accessible on first listen) lift it far past this and personify the passion and ambition that the boys claimed led the creation of this album. The first step on a long journey to be the world’s biggest band and teentoday.co.uk’s ‘real’ comeback.
Shine A Light - are you excited?
Mila
to be honest, im so worried with this new album. im afraid that i might not like the new songs cause they are sounding “eletronic”.
Caitlin
I feel the same as Mila. This album has the potential to be different and bring about loads of new fans for McFly - I’ll give them that, but it also had the potential to strip them of all their originality. I don’t know if I’m going to appreciate the new type of songs as much as the old ones.
allyretro
i’m happy for McFly, not most bands could actually do this and get away with it <3
danger_skies
I can’t wait to hear it - any idea when we might be able to?
Kenzie
danger_skies: I keep hearing October or November. Tom has said in interviews that it will be out before Christmas.
Harriet
The Party Girl single is out early September, the super site is rumoured to be online in October, and the new album is supposed to be released in November
Hannah
i’m actually really disappointed with mcfly’s new sound. i’ve been a huge fan from the beginning because of their originality and style. this isn’t them at all, this is just something which could be mistaken for jls imo. mcfly were orignal, and for the first time i’m actually considering now attending the new tours because of what i’ve heard so far.
Hannah
i meant not attending in the last comment lol.
Emma
i just listened to their new song party girl.
and it’s alright i guess,
but i prefer the old them!
same as Mila i’m not sure if i’m going to like some of their new songs, they sound VERY electronic.
if they carry on with this sound,
i’m not sure i will be as a big fan of them as i used to be!
Julia
I’m so glad for the guys, Party Girl is a perfect comeback single! Indeed, it all produced and arranged so that it fits the current preference (which is absolutely mystic to me), but the quality of the music itself is just as great as I expected from McFly. Of course, it would be very cool to go contrarian and stay in their original sound (which we’ll still hear live, I’m sure), but I highly doubt it would be accepted well, knowing their unpopularity among the critics. Party Girl the way we heard it, to me, was the only proper way to say that rumours of McFly’s demise were greatly exaggerated xD They show a true professionalism stepping out of their musical comfort zone and doing something which is almost a need at the moment, but not getting sucked into it. You can always trust McFly to right catchy and piquant, not dirty, lyrics, and the motif is also very ‘McFly’. I trust them enough to get excited about the album, because no matter what shell is like, the core is always McFly, with music of high degree quality.
Melissa Vega
Hi: im from Guatemala, yeah far far far very far away from boys, but i get to know them because of sites like this one, thanx very much teentoday.com for the information. I have to agree with many girls, it’s a little bit scary awaits for an album that seems to be so different from what we’ve heard before, but also gives me goosebumps, because is Danny, Tom, Doug and Harry, the guys we’ve been following through the process of “the making of” on twitter and we are expecting all the best for them; sure they wont let us down I LOVE YOU guys and you’ve got a friend in Guatemala.
@McFlyUSAnet
Despite what some fans may think, I love when musicians are not afraid to experiment with different sounds! I’m all for musicians who keep moving forward with every album and continue to evolve their sound! My all time favorite band is The Beatles and listening to McFly progress and experimenting with different genres, they’re not very different in that aspect. Who would have thought The Beatles could pull off a song with a sitar? It was different but it was just as amazing as they always were. McFly are very talented musicians and I can see them performing these so called “electronic” sounds live. Those boys can pull off anything and I trust that they are and will always be McFly! Those afraid of them progressing, listen to their new album before making any judgement on them!
I can’t wait to see them perform here! They’re going to be a huge hit and will storm the radio waves, rock venues, and even dance clubs! A tour in the USA is long over due! The USA is ready for you McFly! ROCK ON!
<3 McFly USA
Laura
I’m excited for ANYTHING they put out. I want to hear the entire new album before I start casting any positive or negative judgement. I didn’t like Party Girl at first but after I listened to it a couple times I started LOVING it.
Just have to wait and see =]
Love,
USA
Me :)
I hate how people are saying Party Girl is a “comeback single”. When did they ever leave? They’ve been insanely popular the whole time, so it’s not a comeback, just a new song. ANYWAY, I’m somewhat scared for this album but...I think it’s in a good way, if that’s possible. I’m good-scared. Party Girl is so different from their usual music that I had to take a step back and pretend that it wasn’t McFly I was listening to, and then I realized that I loved it. I’ll admit, at first I didn’t like it, but that was because I was listening with biased ears, thinking about McFly’s old stuff. I’m very excited about this new music. I think it’s a great way for the band to grow. The Super Site sounds like an amazing way to connect with fan, especially since I am from the US...Normally, I wouldn’t be able to “interact” with the guys, but because of this, I’ll be able to.
you?
i’m so excited for their new album but also afraid.. idk if they will lose fans or not, because it’s very very different of their old stuff. and the most loved them for their own music, they were different as the other bands, but now they start to become a lady-gaga-boygroup. that’s what i think when i hear party girl. but i have to say i love party girl, it’s a great song! and i think it’s brave and good that they change their style (when they want to be the world biggest band - they have to produce songs with every kind of music to find the taste of the people) and i’m sure they can do it! like i said, party girl is a great song and i think there will be a few new fans outside there! but i would be happy if they mix their styles a bit.. a few of the old songs, a few of the new ones.. everyone would be happy then
Suzanne
Well said, Julia!
I personally love Party Girl. But I keep hearing things that the rest of the album is closer to McFly’s old sound, so I won’t make a judgement until I hear the rest of the album. Now, I really don’t mind change. I mean, a band can’t stay the same forever now, can they? When I became a fan of them 6 years ago, I was 16. I’m 22 now, I’ve changed. I won’t like them anymore if they still made music like ‘5 colours in her hair’ to be honest. I’m really exited for the new album, can’t wait!
Jo
I’m proud of them. We all know how much their fans mean to them, and to come at this new album from a differn’t angle must of been a tough decision for them to make, alot of bands/artists get loadss of stick for changing their sound, but so far 99% of people are backing mcfly, they have the best fans in the world, fans who support whatever they do whether they like it or not.
Harriet
I’m really excited to hear this, but having heard I’ll Be Your Man, I think that would have made a better second single.
If people disliked McFly because they played cheesy pop songs, then Party Girl, and by the sound of it Shine A Light, will do nothing to change their minds. I’ll Be Your Man sounds like it could really change people’s perception of the band. Then at least when they listen to Shine A light they’d have a fresh opinion of McFly, rather than hating it purely because it’s by ‘that crappy band that I hate’.
Just saying.
Jen
Let’s think: it’s a song penned with Taio Cruz. the chorus remains of the Eh-Eh-Ehs of Rihanna’s Umbrella! don’t this remains you a LOT of Taio Cruz’ Break your heart? i mean the “i’m only gonna break break your break break your heart” part! i think it will be a song a bit in that way! i would be very happy about it because i LOVE that song