Music has been taking interesting turns for the past couple of years, notably the shift in the tone of vocals and lyrics. Both have seemed to mellow over the years, and John Phelps is a good example.
Phelps is a producer and music artist from Rhode Island and has been putting out music consistently since the release of his EP “Honest” in 2020. This electro-pop artist is small but mighty, especially when it comes to his self-titled single, “Honest."
Lyrical Overview - 9/10
The lyricism of this song is deeply personal to the artist, and it is easy to tell. Phelps’ words flow seamlessly. As the title suggests, the artist is being real with the audience about his experience with loneliness and how he struggles with mental illness. Phelps portrays this well, especially with the following lyrics:
“Talking to shadows in the hallways. Not crazy but that’s what they all think.”
The topic of mental illness is slowly becoming less taboo to talk about in the public eye, which is a relief to those who struggle with it. Bigger artists nowadays are bringing the topic forth, but it is just as important for beginner/smaller artists to have a say in it as well.
Musical Overview - 7/10
The background of the song sets the ambiance for the overarching topic of the piece. The looping of the subtle guitar in the background paired with the beats is unique in the way that it is hard to put a single genre to it. The guitar gives it a vibe comparable to that of Blink-182’s “Adam’s Song”, while the beats are similar to Sueco’s music.
Not everyone will enjoy the way the musical track stays the same for the most part throughout the song, but in the same breath, it does not need much else. At the end of the day, the production quality is impressive, and I find that hard to ignore. Hats off to you, Phelps.
Overall - 8/10
John Phelps’ “Honest” is a good example of being raw, both musically and lyrically. At some point or another, the majority is going to relate to the content of this song. Even though the situation is unfortunate, having music such as this is like having a hand to hold when you are feeling lonely or struggling with something like mental illness.
