Dominic Fike, Mama’s Boy | Track Review 🎵

On “Mama’s Boy,” the third single from Sunburn, the sophomore album by Dominic Fike, he throws both an interesting concept and an acquired, unique sound.

[otw_shortcode_dropcap label=”“Y” size=”large” border_color_class=”otw-no-border-color” shadow=”shadow” square=”square”]ou’re such a doll and I’m a boy / Where did my parents go? (Oh, oh) I’m not in Italy…” 🎙 Dominic Fike is an intriguing artist, best categorized as alternative. The singles released in advance of his sophomore album, 💿 Sunburn, have all been distinct of one another.  His third advanced single, 🎵 “Mama’s Boy”, is quite an acquired taste.  The sound is ear-catching, particularly how Fike sings,  prompting you to listen a couple of times for things to settle in.  Notably, Fike produced “Mama’s Boy” with five others: 🎛 Sam Homaee, Jim-E Stack, Devin Workman, and Henry Kwapis. As unique as the sound of “Mama’s Boy” is, the theme and lyrics are arguably the bigger story.[/otw_shortcode_dropcap]

“Mama’s Boy” finds Dominic an inanimate object, a doll, as well as his mother. “You’re made of plastic, I’m just blood,” Fike sings regarding the doll in the pre-chorus, continuing, “When I was born, you were produced.” Typically, when one is referred to as a mama’s boy, they are closest with their mother.  There are various references to childhood, which we know biographically, Fike had a rough and tumble upbringing.  In the chorus, he asserts, “I wish I was a toy / You say, ‘Hahahahahaha’ / And you laugh / And I cry.” Very intriguing.  Clearly, there is a something deeper here, which makes “Mama’s Boy” thought-provoking. The second verse also catches the ear, as Fike contradicts independence and reliance on mama.  Another unique aspect of “Mama’s Boy” is the outro, where mama’s boy is spelled out – fitting given the concept.  All told, 🎵 “Mama’s Boy” is quirky and weird.  I had questions initially, particularly not hearing the live version others have touted, but, after digging in, I enjoy it more and have more respect for it.  The music video is also worth checking out.

via GIPHY 

🎙 Dominic Fike • 💿 Sunburn • 🏷 Sandy Boys, LLC / Columbia • 🗓 7.7.23

[📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Sandy Boys, LLC / Columbia; OpenClipart-Vectors, PIRO via Pixabay]