Single Review: PRINCELOO ‘NIGHTS LIKE THIS’

You can often guess by the title of a song what you’re going to be in for. Princeloo’s new track, Nights Like This, is no exception. Is it party track, a club jam; a celebration of a good time? All of the above. However, with its Caribbean influences, it’s tropical dance overtones and electro flourishes, Princeloo has managed to avoid predictability and come up with something fresh, amalgamating these elements with his brand of rapping and singing and pop sensibility. He’s helped along by another voice, whose evocative cadences blend nicely with Princeloo’s positive energy, as well allowing for the dynamics to play out throughout the song. Her part in the chorus sections, give the song lightness, as well as a few wistful edges.

One’s first impression is to put the track into the dancehall category, it ticks all those boxes, but the production is only part of the appeal. The song has a melodic strength whose lyric is passionately convoked with a straightforward lyric, which despite not saying anything earthshatteringly new, is giving us something genuinely fun and authentic. The instrumentation on this record is sparse, the rhythmic framework set up by some luscious beats and opposing percussive layers and the surrounding sonic flavours a simple mix of synthy textures, voice and limited keys: it’s the perfect soundscape for highlighting Princeloo’s formidable wordsmithing and rhyming. After hearing this track you’ll no doubt wonder where Princeloo has come from, his capabilities feel fully formed, his work, accomplished and meticulous. One can understand how this tune has diverse appeal; it will work as a club anthem, a pop crossover and perhaps even attract a broader radio audience. It maybe his debut but there’s no doubt we’re going to be hearing a lot more of Princeloo in the future.