Charlie Puth, Cry | Song Review

Grammy-nominated pop singer, songwriter, and producer Charlie Puth enlists smooth jazz god Kenny G for the incredibly sophisticated single, “Cry.”

Noted, Charlie Puth.  On “Cry”, the Grammy-nominated, perfect-pitched pop singer-songwriter enlists the services of a smooth jazz legend, soprano saxophonist Kenny G (b. 1956)! “Cry” is the third track from Puth’s fourth studio album, Whatever’s Clever!  Puth penned the striking single alongside Kenny G and BloodPop®.  Puth and BloodPop® produced it.

“Cry” features gorgeous music accompaniment.  The sound is calm, cool, and collected, yet also rhythmic.  There is a soulful-pop, blue-eyed soul vibe that hearkens back to the 1980s.  This sophisticated, adult contemporary sound suits Charlie Puth perfectly.  He’s a millennial through and through, and, as a thirtysomething married man, this feels right up his alley.  He sings radiantly, with ease, yet still packs a sizable punch. The verses and pre-chorus are tuneful and feature memorable lyrics. “Like my father, but he told me,” Charlie sings in the first verse, and continues, “‘Whatever hurt you come across / You better get up when you fall down.’” Word. In the second verse, he supportively asserts, “From the pressure that consumes you (Consumes you) / Oh, I know you’ve seen it all / But know that you can always call me.” The section to beat, however, is the chorus, which is the crowning achievement.

“It’s not for nothin’, feelin’ somethin’

You know everybody cries

Cry, cry, cry (Cry)

It doesn’t matter, you don’t have to ever keep it all inside (Inside)

Cry, cry, cry (Cry, cry).”

Amen, brother! Even more than the verses, the chorus is irresistible. Kenny G brings the heat with a divine, ultra-smooth soprano saxophone solo during the instrumental bridge.  Beyond his saxophone-ing, there are some celestial, tinkling keys.  In the final chorus, Puth expands his performance with some higher ad-libs.  Kenny G also continues soloing like the smooth jazz god he is.  Delightful, “Cry” has a compelling argument as the best single from Whatever’s Clever.

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Charlie Puth » Whatever’s Clever! » Atlantic Records Group LLC » 3.27.26 [📷: Atlantic Records Group LLC]

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