CHARLIE PUTH'S 'HERO': EMBRACING ACOUSTIC AUTHENTICITY
Charlie Puth’s latest single, “Hero,” has just hit the airwaves. In a video posted on YouTube, the singer vividly recalls the crafting process of his widely acclaimed track, “Attention.” An intriguing snippet from this conversation reveals Puth’s initial hesitation in integrating the acoustic guitar as a key instrument in the song even though he acknowledges its effective role in enriching a song’s rhythmic structure.
However, in “Hero”, the American singer-songwriter boldly steps out of his comfort zone, allowing the acoustic guitar to take center stage in the song. Reflecting on his discussion regarding “Attention”, Charlie Puth remarked, “If you deploy the acoustic guitar, suddenly you are THAT guy, or the song instantly turns into THAT song.” Essentially, Puth was considering the overpowering persona that comes with a predominant “acoustic guitar guy” image, which he believes, overshadows certain facets of the song itself.
Breaking the Acoustic Enigma
Here’s what needs to be said: Charlie, your apprehensions were needless. Despite the dominant role of the acoustic guitar in this song, the signature Puth essence still resonates. Could one infer that honing a unique musical identity before incorporating the acoustic guitar is the key? In either case, Charlie Puth has hit all the right chords with “Hero.”
The Spellbinding Magic of "Hero"
“Hero” paints a melodious picture with Puth’s soft, hook-laden vocals harmonizing throughout. The star’s prowess in producing catchy, memorable tunes is evident in this track.
The song appears to be a move towards the conventional singer-songwriter style compared to his earlier works, nestling comfortably alongside the likes of singers like John Mayer and Alec Benjamin. Puth attributes his bravery to deviate slightly from his usual style to the encouraging shoutout from pop sensation Taylor Swift in her latest album. The impact of such an endorsement was immensely motivating, producing a ripple effect that one can only imagine coming from the world’s top music icons.
Stripped Back, More Impactful
Despite its pared-down sonic elements, “Hero” arguably accomplishes more than Puth’s prior offerings. The artist reveals his deliberate shift towards a more minimalist, authentic style.
The Sound of "Hero"
The base of easy-going acoustic drums, a prominent acoustic guitar, and an array of more organic sounds lend an earthy vibe to the song. It’s been a trend I’ve noticed growing; music listeners seem to gravitate towards tracks that embrace organic, acoustic textures. I actively welcome this shift. I urge you to lend an ear to artists like Khruangbin, Glass Beams, or BADBADNOTGOOD too. But first up, embrace this fresh, slightly revamped version of Charlie Puth.
