Like Mike, Sinner | Track Review 🎵

Michael Thivaios, better known as Like Mike, delivers a surefire, melodic hip-hop bop with the sinful love-driven single, “Sinner.”

“You wanna ride with a winner? / Come ride with a sinner / We can kick it for a day / Anything you’re feeling.” Interesting Like Mike – very interesting.  Michael Thivaios is best known as half of the Belgian-born dance/electronic duo Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike with his older bro.  However, on the song at hand, “Sinner,” it’s all Mike in a melodic hip-hop setting.  Does he say much? Eh, but the vibe is ripe plus there are elements of heartbreak, lust, and regret, so it’s definitely worthwhile.

Part of the aforementioned VIBE – the crowning achievement – is superb production work.  That, of course, is the expectation from Like Mike, right? RIGHT! The ear candy is legit here – the sleekness is inescapable.  The backdrop consists of rhythmic drum programming (particularly those trappy, 808 kicks and synth toms) and a colorful assortment of synths and pads.  One sound that particular stands out is a synth that sounds like a blend of guitar and clavinet patch.  Safe to say, the music itself is awesome, awesome, AWESOME.

Like Mike’s vocal – rather melodic rap – performance is a vibe as well.  Love and sex are part of the modus operandi.  That said, “Sinner” also seems to showcase love has fallen short, particularly moments like, “Tell me I didn’t treat you well / Do you really wanna be no more?” as well as, “Are you glad you remember / When you fought with a sinner?” Also, worth noting, Mike equates a ‘winner’ with being a sinner which seems a bit suspect, but whatever.  But you can also make the argument that Mike is less worried about labels than simply winning her love and affection.

Final Thoughts

So, I made the comment that arguably Like Mike doesn’t say much lyrically on “Sinner.” That said, the narrative driven by the lyrics is quite sufficient to help the listener visualize the scenario. Of course, lyrics aside, the sound of “Sinner” is where its ‘bread is buttered.’  Ultimately, “Sinner” is totally worth checking out.

Like Mike • “Sinner” – Single • Like Mike • Release: 12.27.19

Photo Credit: Like Mike