Tom: We’re now at the point where we can call someone the “British Justin Bieber” – even if he tries to stay away from that description – and have his video revolve around creepily stalking someone on Twitter.
I’m not yet old enough to bemoan “what has society become”, but give me a few more years and I’ll probably start mumbling that this was the point where civilisation started to collapse.
Tom: While the Bieber comparison doesn’t hold up to deep scrutiny – he’s 19, for starters – his music falls into the same category for me. I’m not in the demographic that it’s being cynically marketed to, and therefore I can’t bloody stand it. How about you, Tim?
Tim: Well, before I’d heard the music I’d laughed at even the vague notion that someone who bumps into a girl on the street accidentally would say anything other than a mumbled “sorr–” before moving on, let alone strike up a conversation and end up with a picture of the girl. However, writing this I still haven’t heard the music so I’ll reserve judgement for a bit. Hang on.
Yeah, I’m kind of with you, which I suppose means we’re not really the sort of people who should be reviewing his music. And you know that…which means you have something to say.
Tom: Now, his southern accent may make his American fans love him, but the trouble is that an accent like that works best when being self-effacing or charming. Think ‘Hugh Grant’ or, at a push, ‘Boris Johnson’. Unfortunately, the music business requires arrogance and enthusiasm, and I’m not sure it’s a good fit. There’s an advert lurking around for an MTV show featuring him, and my word, he appears to be a colossal jerk. I’m sure he’s not – but he sounds like one.
Tim: Ah, you mean the video where he asks people to vote for him, and then does nothing for almost a minute so people can use that time to vote for him. Well, he isn’t one – or at least he wasn’t when he was being interviewed on the radio last week – but you’re right, this video and that do make him seem like a bit of bell-end.