Liam Payne, Stack It Up | Track Review

Liam Payne enlists A Boogie Wit da Hoodie for an enjoyable, drippy pop single, “Stack It Up.” It’s pleasant, but no game changer for the British heartthrob.

Ah, it’s been a while since we heard from Liam Payne.  In 2018, he released his debut EP, First Time, along with a couple of other singles, but didn’t make much noise.  Up until the release of “Stack It Up” in 2019, the hunky One Direction member has kept a low profile.  With “Stack it Up,” he enlists popular rapper A Boogie Wit da Hoodie for the assist.

With “Stack it Up,” the ‘formula’ is in play.  Urban-pop singer serves up respectable vocals – CHECK. Said urban-pop singer drops some gimmicky lyrics – also CHECK.  Throughout the course of the record, Liam Payne spells out certain, such as “D-I-E,” as well as exhibiting ‘swagger’ with some acronyms and abbreviations, such as “VIP” and “ID.”  Furthermore, the chorus adds some repetition, specifically on the pronoun, “I.” Apparently, one “I” is not enough.  As far as the subject matter, it’s basic – which could arguably be a check for pop song as well.  Honestly, the title is loud and clear about the drippy nature of this cut.  But if not, the chorus has you covered.  At least Payne emphasizes the importance of putting in work though:

“So, if you wanna stack it up, you gotta work for it
I-I-I-I-I-I
Ain’t nobody gonna be doin’ it for ya
I-I-I-I-I
I got dreams and I got time
But that ain’t enough to get me by
So I stack it up, man, I gotta work for it
Yeah, I got money on my mind
I-I, I-I
I got money on my mind
I-I, I-I.”

The other check? Payne invites a trending rapper along for a cameo.  A Boogie Wit da Hoodie offers a blend of un-pitched and pitched rhymes and is solely responsible for the parental advisory label bestowed upon the single (“Yeah, I know SHIT don’t come free, you gotta work for it”).  And, for good measure, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie says ‘shit’ more than once – my, my, my!

Final Thoughts 

Ultimately, “Stack it Up” is okay, but nothing brand new or transcendent from Liam Payne.  Is he still a heartthrob? Yes.  Can he sing? Yes.  Is he a really exciting pop artist who has a career that transcends his One Direction days? Doubtful, but never say never.  “Stack it Up” is short and pleasant enough, but no game changer.

Liam Payne • Stack It Up (Ft. A Boogie Wit da Hoodie) [Single] • Capitol • Release: 9.18.19

Photo Credit: Capitol