Despite being chocked-full of potential, uneven production lacking in finesse inhibits Miguel on his slithery new single, “Python.”

When a new Miguel single arrived (“Python”), it definitely felt ‘too soon.’ No, not because the urban contemporary artist sucks – far from it – he’s awesome! No, it was because he just released his fourth studio album, War & Leisure, in December 2017.  Further investigation, via Genius, informs that this new song was written specifically for his Ascension tour.  Now the question is, how good is “Python?” Well…

“Python” has lots of promise – there’s some great happenings.  The funky groove will give you those throwback feels and vibes all the day long.  Lyrically, as expected, Miguel references the python sexually.  On the first verse he sings, “I’ve been searching for somewhere safe and warm / Devour you like my prey ‘til you’re quivering / Don’t be afraid.” Hmm, maybe a bit far-fetched, but Miguel and sex usually work well together so… On the second verse he delivers similar lyrics: “I’ve been searching for somewhere safe to explore / Devouring you like my prey till you’re shivering / Don’t be afraid.” If there was any doubt (doubtful that there was), the chorus confirms the sexual aspect. That said, it’s kind of hard to see a python letting anything else reign over it, as he suggests.

“Demonstrate, yeah, let’s drop it / Yeah, I need a cave to hide in / Educate, I’m with the logic / I’m feeling swell (swell) / I’m feeling swell (swell) / Summer rain on me, yeah / I’ll let you reign over me, me / Summer reign over me / Ooh baby, reign over me, yeah.”

Final Thoughts

Most of the aforementioned works without a hitch.  But, there are issues that hurt the quality and overall success of “Python,” as sad as that makes me.  Miguel sings in an undertone on the first verse. This is very mysterious and off-putting at first.  While he eventually ascends to that sweet spot, his vocals are covered up by the production.  Essentially, uneven production hurts this song.  You can hear the potential – particularly the funky groove and the rhythmic piano – but the lack of finesse is tough to overcome.  “Python” is better the second time compared to the first, but, this still feels a notch under-developed for a musician as consistent as Miguel is.

Miguel • Python – Single • RCA • Release: 8.3.18

Photo Credit: RCA