Music Review: Jason Derülo's "Jason Derülo"

Music Review

Jason Derülo's "Jason Derülo"

By our guest blogger, Sanela Djokovic

Jason Derülo couldn’t have asked for a better start to his singing career. His debut single, the inescapable “Whatcha Say,” made it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, and his second single, “In My Head,” is currently the #9 song in the country. Due to his good looks, his glossy dance moves and bright, youthful Pop/R&B sound, comparisons to Chris Brown are inevitable. And though it may be a long time before Brown approaches the superstardom he basked in not long ago, Derülo’s self-titled debut proves he does not have the same magnetism and his music does not have the same energy.

The 20-year-old Miami native (born to parents from Haiti--their last name is actually Desrouleaux) has already proved he has a working knowledge of music and a lot of talent. Before recording his own album, Derülo wrote and produced songs for several artists, including two #1 hits--Rihanna’s “SOS” and Sean Kingston’s “Beautiful Girls.” His talents and potential are visible, and the album’s first two singles are the best exhibitions. “Whatcha Say,” which samples Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek,” made some cringe and other smile, but it followed everyone. “In My Head” tones it down a bit, but is an even better pop song, keeping listeners singing, bopping and interested.

A couple of songs on the album follow the lead of the already established hits. Derülo definitely hit his stride on the mid-up tempo half of the spectrum. “The Sky’s the Limit,” reminiscent of Chris Brown’s “Forever,” provides young love via hard dance beats that are perfect for the clubs and the radio. And “Queen of Hearts” takes the pop level up a notch, while channeling Usher a little bit, and with glimpses of old-school freestyle.

That said, Derülo’s slow jams do not display his charisma. While his vocals are fine, the songs in their entirety are not impressive. They lack the youthful heart and freshness that makes teenagers sing along. Still, for those seeking a stripped down Derülo, they might get their fix from an acoustic version of “Whatcha Say,” which is worth checking out.