After nearly a decade missing in action, a new LP seems to be on the horizon for Mario. While we wait, he has an enjoyable new single, “Drowning.”

Question: Do you remember when the last Mario album arrived? Well, if you don’t, it was nearly a decade ago – 2009.  That’s when the R&B standout released D.N.A., which debuted at no. 9 on the Billboard 200. Fans of the singer are well aware that even then, Mario wasn’t at his most relevant – no shade.  Still, after all these years, he proves on his newest single, “Drowning” that the soulful voice remains intact after being missing in action for so many years.  This includes his gorgeous falsetto.

The subject matter of “Drowning” is ‘tried-and-true’ – love and sex.  Neither topic gets old of course, and he begins sexually, with a ‘bang’:

“I never thought I’d be in between her legs / While I’m still thinking ‘bout you / And I’m in too deep to pull out now / She’s suffering while I feel good…”

On the second verse, he’s remains in a bind (“‘Cause even with two queens in my hands / If I’m playing games I could still lose”). As much theater as Mario can construct, the better for making him sound exciting.  The chorus and post-chorus sections are smooth as silk, thriving off that touted falsetto. On the chorus, he sings:

“The closer I get to you baby / Your waters are rising / While her tears are falling / But I’m so close to you baby / Either way I’m thinking / I’m sinking, I’m not swimming.”

As expected, he’s ‘drowning’ on the post-chorus, but also opts for the alternate meaning of the word at the end – “Her tears won’t stop falling, and your body keeps calling / I’ll drown it out for now.”  Beyond the theme and lyrics, worth noting is the lush production and relatively slow tempos, both idiomatic of urban contemporary music.

Final Thoughts

Does Mario cover new territory with “Drowning?” Not necessarily, but he excels in his performance, the song is soundly written and produced.  He will probably need to do something more ‘shocking’ to get people interested and re-invested in him following such a lengthy hiatus.  Regardless, now a fully-grown man, ‘man, oh man’ can he still sing.

Mario • Drowning – Single • New Citizen LLC / EMPIRE • Release: 7.20.18

Photo Credits: New Citizen LLC / EMPIRE