Devon Cole introduces us to a self-psychoanalyzing story of having a tendency to pursue toxic men over decent ones in “Good Guy”. The type of relationships you desire is plain to see to yourself and those close to you. Kind men who are interested in your company try desperately to make you feel comfortable, but you know that doesn’t appeal to you. You find yourself constantly doing mental gymnastics to justify preferring toxic men who are not genuinely interested in you. The chase you pursue to troubling boys who drive you crazy is intoxicatingly thrilling. But years of sideways glances from the people closest to you have started to weigh on you. The spicy journey of each relationship you love seems familiar to you. It seems depressingly likely that this preference seems almost Freudian in nature. You have felt abandoned before and keep feeding into your need to be wanted. Despite leaning towards a continuous cycle of toxicity, you wish that one day a good guy will be more than enough for you.
“Good Guy” is a commercial pop anthem that relies on energetic and uplifting moods to contrast against the melancholy theme. The single begins with a sweeping guitar instrumental with Cole humming bits of the melody. An upbeat bass line pricks away intertwined with this guitar. There are a few sudden tone and instrumentation changes, which is most prevalent in the pre-chorus lead up. The vocals suddenly hit higher notes as the guitar drops, slowly and gradually builds, and then becomes just as prevalent as the other elements. Each aspect of this single represents an upbeat, funky, and feel-good nature that directly contrasts the lyrics. It is always a unique and humorous experience when the melody and instrumentation of a song differs so greatly from its narrative themes.
Devon Cole is a Canadian singer-songwriter currently shining her way through the music scene. She has had a respectable ascent into fame with some of her music receiving viral success after signing with Arista Records in 2022. Her first viral hit “W.I.T.C.H.” has gained millions of streams across multiple platforms. Her music has received critical acclaim from media platforms such as Billboard, Bustle, Earmilk, and Popdust. In 2023, the young singer received multiple accolades such as winning the Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Canada Artist of 2023 and being nominated for the Favorite Breakout Artist at the 2023 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. Her social media presence has amassed her many dedicated fans and followers that continue to push her further into the mainstream. Make sure to follow her on social media and give “Good Guy” a listen!
Written By Willow Gray
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