Rising boy band Why Don’t We shine on “8 Letters,” the opening record from their highly-anticipated debut album of the same name. 

After releasing multiple singles and multiple EPs, boy band Why Don’t We are finally releasing their highly-anticipated debut album, 8 Letters (August 31).  Fittingly, Zach Herron, Daniel Seavey, Jonah Marais, Corbyn Besson, and Jack Avery unveil the opening track, “8 Letters,” as their latest single.  As clever as the song title is, bet it’s not too hard to figure out what those “8 Letters” the collective is referencing (*cough* “I Love you”).

“8 Letters” is a sleek, mid-tempo, modern-pop ballad that deals with matters of the heart.  That’s not far-fetched – boy bands have been ‘in love’ for years.  The production is comprised of piano and cooler synths idiomatic of the electro-pop.  Drum programming adds some punch as well, anchoring at some points of the record, and thoughtfully resting at others. Jonah Marais kicks things off incredibly smoothly, exhibiting vocal control on the first verse (“I’ve been hurt so I don’t trust / Now here we are, staring at the ceiling”). Daniel Seavey takes a similar approach on the second verse, though there’s melodic variation (“Isn’t it amazing almost every line of our hands align?”).

Zach Herron provides contrast on the pre-chorus (both times), packing a bit more punch leading into the chorus. “I’ve said those words before but it was a lie / And you deserve to hear them a thousand times.” Despite the elevation of intensity, Jack Avery begins the chorus with poise, before ascending on the second half.  Corbyn Besson ‘brings it on home’ on the final two lines with incredible falsetto.  Avery delivers the bridge (“When I close my eye s/ It’s you there in my mind / When I close my eyes”) before Besson takes the bulk of the final chorus and outro.  Sure, as aforementioned, the “8 letters” are predictable, but the chorus is memorable and enjoyable.

“If all it is, is eight letters / Why is it so hard to say? / If all it is, is eight letters / Why am I in my own way? / Why do I pull you close / And then ask you for space? / If all it is, is eight letters / Why is it so hard to say?”

Final Thoughts

All in all, Why Don’t We deliver an enjoyable, well-rounded, mid-tempo, pop ballad about love.  The subject matter isn’t brand new – it’s totally familiar – but the boy band successfully makes their point. Solid vocals from all five members as well as solid production make “8 Letters” a winner.

Why Don’t We • 8 Letters • Signature / Atlantic • Release: 8.31.18

Photo Credits: Signature / Atlantic