To me, SF9 have always come across as musical chameleons. Their material is reliably polished and well-performed but doesn’t always have a distinct musical character. Instead, they flit between genres and often land on a winner. January’s Bibora was one of those lucky draws, gifting the guys a sleek dancepop confection that went on to rule my winter playlists. Switching seasons, the guys are back to a summery comfort zone with Don’t Worry, Be Happy.
No, this isn’t a cover of the iconic Bobby McFerrin track (thank goodness). It’s a bright, breezy funk track that sacrifices ambition for smooth grooves. We’ve heard this frothy summer sound from many boy groups in the past, including SF9 themselves. It’s light and amiable yet rarely manages to leave a lasting mark. Given the right melodies and bopping instrumental, this sonic brew can result in an unexpected classic, but too often the music simply coasts by.
“Coasts” is a good word to describe Don’t Worry, Be Happy. It’s infinitely pleasant and won’t go amiss on any playlist. I can’t help but nod along while listening to it, but it never reaches out and grabs me by the collar (not that I’m wearing collars during the summer months!). Its brass-kissed beat supplies an easy-listening funk while the percussion hits a bit harder. Less generic melodies would have complimented this blend, but the song just isn’t that ambitious. However, Don’t Worry, Be Happy builds to a satisfying climax and of all the comebacks released today it probably has the best chance of growing on me.
Hooks
8
Production
8
Longevity
9
Bias
8
RATING
8.25