Joshua Pearlstein still has his sights on stretching the boundaries of what can be accomplished in pop music, and his new single "Prize" is proof that we have only just seen the start of how a young artist can redefine pop's power to move both body and mind. "Prize" provides modular, three-dimensional soundscapes to a genre-hopping style. It provides you with a cinematic, rhythmic feeling that lingers for a long time.
Pearlstein lays down a groove that makes you wanna dance, and the production builds on a spirited pop foundation, adding shifts in tempo and texture that keep the song as entertaining to listen to as it is to empathize with. Joshua's vocals are intimate and dazzling, playful in their precision with the textures of his instrument. Productive production makes lines about hazel eyes, curvy sides, and heart-thump attraction sound even better. It recasts straightforward pop music into an immersive, nearly tangible experience.
"Prize" is also remarkable for its unconventional structure. Pearlstein plays with longstanding pop shapes to create a piece that is born spontaneously yet carefully considered. The tension builds to cathartic drops halfway, keeping you stirred throughout. This single is evidence that Pearlstein is writing experiences and playgrounds for the heart and feet. Fans of pop music who find themselves in search of something fresh and modern should have a listen to Joshua Pearlstein's "Prize." It's fun, it's desirable, and it is a defiant signifier from someone who we can tell is only really getting going.
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