Ryan Tedder and OneRepublic keep it short but incredibly sweet on the yearning “Connection,” the pop collective’s second single of 2018. 

“Can I get a connection? / Can I get, can I get a connection?” Please, please, PLEASE give Ryan Tedder a connection! That’s all that the OneRepublic frontman desires on the pop collective’s new single, “Connection.” “Connection” serves as the band’s second single of 2018 following “Start Again” (with Vegas Jones).  1R keeps it short but incredibly sweet.

Ryan Tedder sings with plenty of swagger from start to finish.  The lines are melodic, yet incredibly rhythmic like a hip-hop song.  Adding to the goodness is a sick, hard-hitting beat, and catchy songwriting.  On the first verse, Tedder seems lost in an ocean filled with “seven billion swimmers.” He asks himself at the end of the verse, “If there’s so many people here, then why am I so lonely?” On the second verse, he continues to sing about the disconnectedness he feels to attention and fame: “There’s so many people here to be so damn lonely.” On the bridge, he makes an effort to find that connection – “Foot to the floor, man searching for the real thing.” Of course, there’s the chorus, which is simple, yet hella catchy each and every iteration.

Final Thoughts 

OneRepublic is that band with its share of hits that simply doesn’t necessarily get the acknowledgement that they deserve.  Admittedly, like others, I’ve been guilty of taking them for granted.  This totally shouldn’t be the case.  Sure, the chorus of “Connection” is repetitive to the nth degree, but my goodness is it infectious! After going in tell myself ‘you’re not gonna like this song,’ I leave a changed man.  Yeah, it’s only two-and-a-half minutes of music, but it a pretty fine two-and-a-half minutes. “Connection” made.

OneRepublic • Connection – Single • Mosley Music / Interscope • Release: 6.29.18

Photo Credits: Mosley Music / Interscope