The Pulltops – Make Me Smile (2023)
Inspired by the complexities of human emotion at its core, US-based The Pulltops delve into the light and dark sides of life. In ‘Better Life’, they explored the underlying themes of personal growth in a darker, melancholic tune; however, the lads gave us an anthem for “those who are ready to take charge of their lives” with ‘Wide Awake’. In ‘With You’, guitarist Tom Crowell and drummer Mark Pierret promised we would be together forever in a pop-infused love song. So, what do the talented team have in store for us this time?
Following their well-received single ‘With You’, ‘Make Me Smile’ whirls about in the “Sixteen Candles theme song” world. Tapping into the lighter side of life, the new single is “a sweet love song that breaks down to the simple thought: You will always be the one to make me smile…” A heartwarming concept – being the one to make another person smile, perfectly in line with those cheesy rom-coms.
Consider it: Sandra Bullock had Keanu Reeves make her smile in The Lake House, and Ryan Gosling made Rachel McAdams grin when he read to her in The Notebook. Even Kiera Knightley made Matthew McFadyen smile in Pride and Prejudice. Love is all around us, but there is a darkness lurking through the sweetness – a complexity breaking the sugary goodness. The Pulltops capture the intricate world of true love in ‘Make Me Smile’.
As with ‘With You’, the duo’s diverse influences fuse in a pop-inspired, toe-tapping, heartwarming whirlpool of sound. Pierret’s draw to old-school country and soul music flows through in the lyrical folk-pop ballad ‘Make Me Smile’, while Crowell’s experimental nature contributes to the eclecticism of the single’s arrangement. Pounding drums are veiled by powerful guitars oozing passionate pop, which is exaggerated by the dulcet vocals. Yet, there is a divergence from the typical Pulltops sound when acoustic guitars and strings join the electric instruments. The thing is, just as The Pulltops find the delicate line between organic and synthetic, they blur it creating an obscure punch of moving sound.
Filled with the happiness and hopefulness of love, ‘Make Me Smile’ affirms the power and joy of having someone in your life. For me, this tender light-heartedness veils vulnerability in its delicate verses and catchy chorus. The eclecticism of the melody picks up the complexity in its obscure arrangement, while the rich vocals boldly declare optimistic light breaking through the realm of love. If I take one thing from this single it is that The Pulltops can always make me smile.
Find out more from The Pulltops on their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
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