Following lukewarm success for ‘Red Pill Blues’ and after releasing numerous singles, Maroon 5 releases yet another single, “Wait.”

There’s no need to spend unnecessary time preaching on how Maroon 5 has changed over the years. On their 2017 album Red Pill Blues, Adam Levine and company continued buying into modern pop tends.  Red Pill Blues, hence, was a big pop album.  Slickly produced, that ‘big pop album’ was also imperfect, particularly with a dud like “Don’t Wanna Know” featuring ‘it’ rapper Kendrick Lamar. Still, it had some highlights, including “Best 4 U,” “What Lovers Do,” and “Lips on You.”  Not a commercially dominant project in the least, Maroon 5 has released the ‘millionth’ single from the album, “Wait.”

When originally reviewing Red Pill Blues, “Wait” wasn’t selected as a gem.  The aforementioned highlights, plus “Denim Jacket” and “Plastic” were the picks.  Nonetheless, “Wait” had/has some weight to it. If nothing more, it’s a slick, electro-pop, urban contemporary record that’s pleasant.  By pleasant, that means “Wait” is good, inoffensive, and respectable – more on that later. The biggest rub of the record is its lightness. Back to the pleasantry thing. “Wait” is essentially good enough without being great.  Ultimately, there’s just little substance taking “Wait” to the next level.

Final Thoughts

In the context of Red Pill Blues, “Wait” is situated between two gems – “What Lovers Do” and “Lips on You.” Ouch! Because of this, it failed to distinguish itself from better records.  Out of the context of the album, it’s an enjoyable, pleasant record with slick production and solid vocals from Adam Levine.  Still, “Wait” is not earth shattering, ground breaking, or re-inventive.

Maroon 5 • Red Pill Blues • Interscope • Release: 11.3.17 

Photo Credit: Interscope