Music Release: Fifth Harmony (ft. Gucci Mane) - Down "is familiar yet cohesive and better"

Fifth Harmony (ft. Gucci Mane), Down

A group that loses an original member to pursue a solo career is Fifth Harmony's major headline in the peak of them promoting singles and their sophomore album back in December 2016. It left a lot of their fans divided and the music pundits even projected the group to fall apart especially with Camila Cabello who was deemed as the star of the group is the one who decided to call it quits.

Fast forward to today, Fifth Harmony - now as a quartet - is releasing their first single since that split with an assistance from rapper, Gucci Mane. All eyes are on the group to prove something more than getting a hit as a foursome now - Survival.

Releasing Down proves a lot from Fifth Harmony in a group perspective. 

(1) United. The group managed to successfully stay intact and held it together that the group's bond felt more organic and believable. Down showed that aspect. There is a cohesion on the verses. It didn't sound like four individual girls fighting for spotlight. There is fluidity on each girl's verses and when they reached the chorus, it harmonizes well. Even on the end verses where ad libs and runs are oftenly presenting the crescendo of the song, each woman delivered it with confidence but not overpowering.

(2) Individuality. Despite being in a group, Ally, Dinah, Lauren and Normani pursued individual projects yet committed to the group's core. There is respect in there. Down showed that aspect as well. Each woman is recognizable. They were all given equal parts to commit until they celebrated a harmonious chorus.

(3) Packaging. The group's successful hits oftenly lies not because they were trying too hard to be sexy and adult. They were modern and contemporary. Down brought that edge on the plate. It is not boderlining the offensive status but it is not on the bubblegum pop level as well. Let's be real, the market for girlbands or boybands perse doesn't just rely on its youthful vigor. It needed more for success. Past singles, Work From Home and Worth It were hits because they are modern and edgy and they were marketed in a broader scope.

Down managed to check a lot of list for the girls to produce yet another hit on their plate, now as a quartet, the girls are proving that they can manage.

On paper, Down serves the same formula that worked with Fifth Harmony. Get a rapper to add an urban, rap verse, serve a repetitive yet memorable chorus and add ad libs in the end verse to create more dynamics. Down is undeniably catchy but not a banger.

Down is familiar yet cohesive and better. There are no dominant vocals happening, the pulsating synth, snare drum production and snaps work like it used to. There is restraint yet rhythmic joy. It needed more punch, sure, but I digress. Fifth Harmony sticks to the formula that works for them and I think for now that is what they needed to establish that they are still a force to reckon with and hoping that the rest of their album delivers. Down is decent at its best, which is commendable.

Do you agree with my thoughts about the song?

Download the song below:

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