In preparation for their debut album, PRETTYMUCH –  Austin, Brandon, Edwin, Nick, and Zion – drops a swagger-laden new single, “10,000 Hours.”

For those of us who thought, hoped, or lamented the fact that the boy band had faded, it hasn’t.  Leave it to Simon Cowell to resurrect the boy band from the dead.  His latest crop of heartthrobs is PRETTYMUCH. In preparation for their debut album, Austin, Brandon, Edwin, Nick, and Zion drop a new single, “10,000 Hours.”

“10,000 Hours” features slick modern pop/urban contemporary production. Naturally, the record has its fair share of gimmickry, as well as employing the ‘bag of production tricks.’ “10,000 Hours” implements the style and sound one envisions for the modern boy band in the late 10s. Moving on to the singing, the lead vocals on the verses are robust and smooth.  Each of the three verses incorporate ad-libs, clearly a product of hip-hop influence.

The melody is incredibly rhythmic on the pre-chorus, in a pop-rap style. Expectedly, it’s performed with ample swagger and continued use of ad-libs.

“Nights on nights on nights / Days on days on days / Clockwork, night work, homework / We don’t take no breaks…”

The following chorus is successful, though by no means game changing.

“10,000 hours of loving you / We gon’ get it right, get it right, baby…”

The chorus is followed by a post chorus, which has more lyrical contrast compared to the chorus.

“I’ll put in the time if you let me / I’ll fill up your mind with some memories / Babe I’m ‘bout to take to take 10,000 hours of loving you / We gon’ get it right, get it right, baby.”

Following the third and final verse, there’s no pre-chorus.  There’s a sequence that includes the chorus, post-chorus, and an outro.  The outro is an extension of the post-chorus.

Final Thoughts

All in all, PRETTYMUCH delivers an enjoyable record, that exemplifies the modern, urban-infused pop sound.  Arguably, “10,000 Hours” feels a bit cliché, gimmicky, and of course, schmaltzy.  Boy band enthusiasts should be pleased, nonetheless.

PRETTYMUCH • 10,000 Hours – Single • Syco • Release: 2.14.18

Photo Credit: Syco