Released: April 7, 2023
TL;DR: This moody track is an anthem for the overthinker and those who aren't sure if their love is reciprocated.
Editor's note: This song was reviewed at the request of the artist. As my blog is not a professional enterprise, this was done as a courtesy without compensation. The following article shows my true, unbiased thoughts.
For today's review, I turn to New Zealand for an interesting tune from DimiG. The artist is a young, talented pop singer-songwriter. This was my first exposure to his work, and "Love Me Like" validated my decision to review it. It's a deeply thoughtful track that wavers between cautious optimism and serious doubt about a partner's commitment.
The production is carried primarily by an acoustic guitar, with synth tones and drum machines used for atmosphere and to set tempo. The result is a soothing mix, a mid-tempo ballad that's very easy to listen to. The guitar's brighter tones contrast with the intensely moody electronic elements, setting an appropriately uncertain mood for the song. Mostly, the producer(s) wisely chose to allow the instrumentation to serve as support for the vocals and lyrics.
The vocals from DimiG are impressive. He has a smooth yet deeply charismatic voice, and without much effort his emotional struggle is transmitted directly to the listener. On the bridge, he demonstrates impressive range, both high and low. On both the faster and slower portions of the song, his tone and flow are unwavering. I'm not a big fan of the occasional vocal effects, as I feel the artist is more than capable of performing this one straight up. However, that's a nitpick: this is about as unique and strong a male vocal as I've heard in a long time.
The lyrics have some interesting imagery and wordplay. I really like the line "I'm tired of being on my own and broken/waiting for the stars to come align our fate", as it takes the typical cliché of the stars aligning and makes it more concrete. Here, cosmic forces have an impact on the direction of the relationship between the narrator and his partner. While the chorus is more straightforward, you get the sense that this is how the track will connect to a broader audience. I'm really impressed by DimiG's ability to write out his overthinking like this, as it's not easy to describe the processes of an anxious mind. This is a beautifully-written song.
I'm looking forward to hearing more from DimiG in the future. "Love Me Like" is a very strong track that lays the foundation for further experimentation in the pop music world.
Score: 8.5/10 (outstanding vocals, great songwriting)