Former Australian teen heartthrob Cody Simpson returns with an enjoyable and sexy modern pop single, “Underwater.” Nothing mind blowing, but worthwhile.

Sometimes, being a teen heartthrob doesn’t translate or transfer into superstardom in those post-teenage years known as the twenties.  Few will deny that Australian singer/songwriter Cody Simpson definitely fit the ‘teen-pop heartthrob’ bill.  But he was clearly more than just his blonde hair – he could and still can actually sing. Unfortunately, there are only a couple of Justin Biebers that begin successfully and maintain or increase such success.  Sort of like the incredibly talented Ryan Beatty (still plugging Boy in Jeans y’all), Simpson never ‘blew up.’ He’s had some success, but nothing gargantuan.  Nonetheless, he’s still in the game, now as a 21-year old man, and he’s back with new music, “Underwater.”

“Underwater” arrives independently, on Simpson’s own Coast House label.  Notably, if you haven’t heard Cody Simpson lately, you’ll notice how much deeper and more mature he sounds vocally.  This isn’t the same kid who once sung about “Pretty Brown Eyes”.  Despite the change of voice, his instrument is colorful, effective, and has bit of an appealing bite.  In regards to style, “Underwater” still falls in the ‘umbrella’ of pop music, just not that corny, bubblegum teen-pop stuff.  Even though he sings about being underwater, “Underwater” isn’t quite as ‘beachy’ as some of his music released after his teen-pop peak.  In fact, it’s ‘beachier’ lyrically than musically. This is a blend of pop/rock, and modern pop with electronic cues.  All in all, its successful, but not exactly mind-blowing.

Final Thoughts

Simpson checks off the boxes that male pop artists are supposed to. The most important part of that invisible checklist: sing about sex.  That’s easy enough, right? He does just that on the best part of the song, the chorus:

“I’m underwater ‘cause I’m drowning in your body / Maybe we can leave this party / Take ya somewhere that I know / I wanna go, I wanna go.”

Basically, this girl is hot, he wants to go off somewhere where they can ‘make love.’ That’s the essence. Not game changing, but effective.

Cody Simpson • Underwater – Single • Coast House / Human Re Sources • Release: 8.3.18

Photo Credits: Coast House / Human Re Sources