20-year old pop artist Bazzi showcases ample potential on his debut album, COSMIC.  He focuses on love, sex, and achieving his dreams in Cali.

The lines are definitely blurred these days. Pop is as eclectic as ever, liberally incorporating elements of urban music among other styles.  Eclectic is a great way to describe Bazzi, a 20-year old, rising urban-pop artist from Michigan, now based in California. Andrew Bazzi is young and chocked-full of confidence and swagger. His breakout moment comes by way of single, “Mine”, among the best moments from his intriguing debut album, COSMIC.  

“Dreams” 

“A place / Where space / And time / Doesn’t exist / Just us.” Yup, that part of what Bazzi’s brief “Dreams” encompasses – making love to a gorgeous girl, “Straight up out a dream / Like a magazine.” The script may be cliché, but “Dreams” serves as a respectable start.  He continues with romantic and sexual endeavors, fueled by drink, on the infectious “Soarin.” Interestingly, over a bubbly, jubilant backdrop, he acknowledges his youthful, wild behavior. “And if I go too hard, pray the Lord my soul to take …Inside you I found faith.” 

Bet you can’t guess who Bazzi focuses on the groovy “Myself?” Himself, of course! He’s not being narcissistic, but he eschews drama (“I left that shit in school”) and negativity in his life (“I put the Heisman up to bad energy”). Much like his sexcapades on “Dreams” and “Soarin’,” the subject matter is tried-and-true, but well presented.  He welcomes in “No New Friends”, at least to an extent.

“Star”

“I see it all now / You’re a star / I can see it all now / You look…” Highlight “Star” features exuberant vocals, and Bazzi doesn’t lack swagger.  In addition to his shimmering pipes, he’s lifted by bright, major-key production that keeps things relatively simple.

“Like you straight out a movie
Naked in the jacuzzi
Stuntin’ like you Madonna
That beautiful persona.”

On “Why,” he questions her desire and love for him, characterizing himself as an “asshole.” The pre-chorus is an excellent example of the power of lust (heavy sexual innuendo), while ultimately, he’s not ideal for her, regardless how much she wants him.  Keeping in step with matters of the heart, on “3:15” he seems to reflect on leaving Michigan for Cali, specifically leaving a girlfriend he seems to deeply care about.  Perhaps he’s not the most eloquent or poetic (“Fuck them other bitches, I will put ‘em to the side”), but we catch his drift (“You’re so money, baby, you ain’t even have to try”). Give Bazzi credit for his honestly and wearing his feelings on his sleeves, f-bombs and all.

“Honest”

“Honest” finds Bazzi expressing his disappointment that his ex is now dating his friend.  Naturally, he reflects back to the best parts of their relationship and ponders why things didn’t work out. Like “3:15” and COSMIC in general, he wears his feelings on his sleeves.  Continuing reflectively, “Mirror” finds him confused – struggling to wrap his fingers around his thoughts and identity.  While he’s nonspecific, it’s clear “Mirror” represents an internal battle.

Ball on brother, ball on. “Gone” finds the singer acclimated to his new California home and lifestyle.  Backed by an electro-urban pop backdrop, he cites all things Cali, portraying himself as the ‘big man on campus.’  He’s partying, living it up, and clearly, HE GONE.  On “Fantasy,” Bazzi takes a step back.  He focuses on making his dreams a reality, dabbles in the perks of the lifestyle (“Going through these bottles / F**king with these models”), but he also seems locked in on making dreams reality. Notably, he encourages a nameless, special girl she can live out her dreams.

“I can take you there
Wildest dreams, put some faith in me
Take my hand to your fantasy.” 

“BRB” 

Bazzi is ‘invested’ to the nth degree on “BRB,” asserting “Lose myself when I’m inside of you.” While he certainly has sex on brain, it does seem to go deeper – “I might wife you, I might make the move.”  Speaking of sex, on “Cartier” he exaggerates ‘just a bit’ when he says he’s going to “Fuck you 24 hours.” So, where does Cartier actually come into play? “Nothing on you when you naked / Except a Cartier bracelet.” “Different strokes for different folks”.

“Mine”

On “Beautiful,” Bazzi loves everything about her. He makes some sexual references, but contrasting “Cartier,” he’s goes beyond the physical. As aforementioned, “Mine” is the centerpiece of COSMIC – the breakthrough single earning the youngster the attention he’s receiving. Expectedly, it’s an alluring single that’s well-produced, well-performed, and relatively simple yet memorable. Just north of two minutes in duration, it’s brief but enough to justify why A.B. is on the rise. Both “Beautiful” and “Mine” are successful, starry-eyed, love-centric records.

“Starting over is hard to do / ‘Cause staring over is without you.” Bazzi struggles with starting getting past the past on penultimate record, “Changed.”  This is prevalent throughout the course of COSMIC as he always seems to look back, never forgetting his history.

“I do this for the music, not the fame
So, don’t you say that I’m the same
‘Cause I’m the only thing that hasn’t changed.”

“Abusing all my authority / Shutting down these sororities / Music is the priority / all the other shit is a minority.” Word. “Somebody” concludes COSMIC with Bazzi singing about his come-up and, well, becoming somebody.  He’s clear, simple, and honest on the chorus:

“We all want to be somebody
We all want to be anybody
We just want to feel something real.”

Final Thoughts 

All in all, there’s lots to like about Bazzi and his debut album, COSMIC.  He definitely has a nice voice, and this urban-infused, electro-infused pop lane seems like the right fit.  Thematically, the next step for Andrew is to expand his script and scope a bit.  While he has some terrific moments, sometimes he gets a bit bogged down on, love and sex. Nonetheless, the future is bright and this 20-year old is on the “Up & Up”.

Gems: “Dreams,” “Soarin,” “Myself,” “Star,” “Mirror,” “Beautiful” & “Mine”

Bazzi • COSMIC • Atlantic • Release: 4.12.18

Photo Credit: Atlantic