Tommy Richman, WHITNEY | Song Review 🎵

Tommy Richman drops some experimental vibes on “WHITNEY,” the second single from his debut studio album, COYOTE.

“Baby / You are not the same in my dreams (Ooh-ooh) / If not for anything, for anything.” Breakout singer/songwriter Tommy Richman has spoken in the chorus of “WHITNEY”.  “WHITNEY” is one of many singles released by Richman in 2024 including “MILLION DOLLAR BABY” and “DEVIL IS A LIE”.  Oddly, neither of those two songs appear on his debut album, COYOTE (arrives September 27, 2024). “WHITNEY” marks the second single from the LP following the release of  “THOUGHT YOU WERE THE ONE”.  “WHITNEY” was penned by Richman and Jonah Roy. Roy produces alongside John Wehmeyer and ​lim0.  Interestingly, the name Whitney is never mentioned in the song.

“WHITNEY” features only one verse.  Early on, Richman repeats a pair of lines: “If we’re made in the image of God /… Why do things get odd?” He answers, “I don’t know, I said bitch, I don’t know,” before sharing his feelings of disappointment with her.  He asserts by the end, “You were always in my dream, but it’s a one-way street / I would never go back, never go back home.” Oh, snap! Beyond that, “WHITNEY” isn’t deep from a songwriting perspective.  There is a bridge filled with “No(s).” There is also a spoken outro, where the image of God is mentioned again.  The sound of “WHITNEY” is intriguing, characterized by its detuned synths and infectious drum programming groove. Vocally, Richman showcases a wild falsetto and his unique middle and upper register pipes (similar to his other 2024). Ultimately, “WHITNEY” is a vibe, with a bit more of a minimalist, experimental spirit than previous singles he’s released.  Do I ‘totally’ get it after several listens? No, but, it’s engaging.

Tommy Richman // COYOTE // ISO Supremacy / PULSE / CONCORD // 9.27.24

Tommy Richman, WHITNEY [📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; ISO Supremacy / PULSE / CONCORD; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Królestwo Nauki, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pete Linforth, Tumisu from Pixabay]