Teddy Swims, Tough Love (EP) | Album Review 💿

On his 18-minute EP, Tough Love, pop singer/songwriter Teddy Swims exhibits ample potential, captivating us with his impressive instrument.

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ot all musicians start their careers out the same way. Atlanta, Georgia singer/songwriter 🎙 Teddy Swims (Jaten Dimsdale) got his start via YouTube.  Eventually, this “chameleon soul” ended up with a record deal – rad to say the least.  In 2022, Swims released a brand-new EP, 💿 Tough Love, comprised of six songs.  Running just 18 minutes, Dimsdale shows ample potential, never missing the mark, captivating us with his impressive instrument.

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“911” 

“I got your back without you even asking / If I gotta whoop somebody’s ass, I’ma do it with passion.” Hell yeah! Teddy Swims kicks off Tough Love (EP) sensationally with 🤩 🎵 “911.”  If “911” were the introduction to Jaten Dimsdale, it proves to be a marvelous one.  It’s a soulful pop record featuring well-rounded production (🎛 Jeff “Gitty” Gitelman) and sounds that are idiomatic of neo-soul; call this a blue-eyed soul gem. More impressive than the production are the electrifying vocals by Dimsdale.  Those pipes are impressive to the n^th degree.

Follow up 🤩 🎵 “Please Turn Green” cedes no momentum whatsoever.  Notably, it’s slightly more pop-oriented than the opener.  Nonetheless, as “Please Turn Green” progresses, there are more ‘urban elements’ with the drum programming and those modern pop trends.  Of course, the lines between pop and R&B in the 2020s are incredibly blurred.  What remains intact and untouched are the vocals where Dimsdale continues to impress with a beautiful tone.  Furthermore, as he sings, you buy what he’s selling; he comes off incredibly authentic. “Please Turn Green” features strong songwriting, particularly on the chorus, as well as the clever title (“Now we’re both stopped in the same place at 11:23 / Prayin’ that this light would just, please, please turn green / Just please, turn green”).

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“For the Rest of Your Life” 

🎵 “For the Rest of Your Life” keeps things on the up-and-up! Once more, the production is a selling point, with a strong, anchoring beat that is groovy, to say the least.  Furthermore, superb vocal production makes Teddy Swims’ vocals pop.  While it sounds like a broken record, it’s hard not to compliment Dimsdale once more – the tone and those rich, robust, and commanding vocals! He delivers some fabulous runs towards the end. Furthermore, he exudes ample personality, something that goes a long way.  Once more, the listener gets another memorable catchy chorus, one that seems to be focused on long-term love. I like how exciting the chorus is towards the end of the record. 

🤩 🎵 “Amazing” slows things down and it’s a winning formula.  On this ballad, Teddy compliments just how ‘amazing’ she looks. “You look amazing / Don’t matter what you wear or what you do,” he sings in the chorus, continuing, “You turnin’ heads in every room / Don’t know why you act so surprised / You look amazing every time.” It’s not that he says something profound that hasn’t been uttered before, but it feels right, nonetheless. Beginning as a piano ballad, by the second verse, it adds more instrumentation, including some synths and light drum programming.  By the second chorus, lovely strings enter the mix. After all is said and done, “Amazing” grows even more robust.

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“Love for a Minute” 

“You told me, I was crazy / Your stories, kept on changing / I hate that I’m still hangin’ on to you.” Teddy Swims continues to shine on 🤩 🎵 “Love for a Minute.”  Here, love hasn’t worked out for him. “Would’ve never thought you could be so toxic,” he sings in the pre-chorus, adding, “Go, my darling, oh my darling.” Swims goes on to sing in the chorus, “I felt like love for a minute / Then you fucked up yeah, you did it / I’ll never fool myself again.” Ultimately, he sings beautifully and expressively serving up a mix of full-bodied vocals and ripe falsetto.  We clearly feel the pain of the plight of L-O-V-E.

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“Tryna chase what you’ll never need / Hope you come back around to simple things…” Teddy closes out Tough Love (EP) with another fine track, 🎵 “Simple Things.” “Simple Things” commences with rhythmic guitar accompaniment, a palette that works well with Dimsdale’s voice. Once more, the listener is treated to beautiful, commanding vocals.  Furthermore, the lyrics are personal – nothing like authenticity! Ultimately, this record proves to be an optimal way to conclude a consistent, well-rounded, and enjoyable EP.

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Final Thoughts 💭

Teddy Swims successfully showcases his potential on Tough Love (EP).  All six songs are worth listening to, more than once.  The biggest selling point for Jaten Dimsdale is his compelling, soulful voice, which never fails him on this set.  It’ll be exciting to see what Dimsdale serves up in the future.  For now, Tough Love is a winner.

🤩 Gems 💎: “911,” “Please Turn Green,” “Amazing” & “Love for a Minute”

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🎙 Teddy Swims • 💿 Tough Love (EP) • 🏷 SWIMS Int. / Warner • 🗓 1.21.22
[📷: SWIMS Int. / Warner]

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