Leading with a little bit of something lush and lovely – a guitar sound melodic and soulful, followed by an equally evocative tempo in the beat. Fonz brings fast but gentle bars and subtle melodies to the already appealing groove of Say That, and it’s a smooth and frankly cool introduction to an elusive but talented artist.
Noting hints of relevance from both trap and the JB or Akia realm of modern alternative RnB, Say That has the vibe of being an instant classic. The guitar sound is intimate, the passion subtle but striking, and the vocal flow and storytelling is compelling as we roll through the different stages of the song.
Fonz puts in a versatile delivery, a performance that’s distinct but engaging and seamless from one style to the next. Fusing aspects of rap and RnB but also creating a near-acoustic lane at the same time, Say That is easy to vibe to, and a pleasure to let play at volume as you drive or contemplate the world late at night.
The electric guitar riff introducing the song is beautiful, and then the vocal verses are instantly familiar, satisfying but clever in their detail, imagery and scene-setting, as Fonz proceeds to naturally captivate his audience.
Say That is an earworm from the outset, but the hook in particular has the required addictive quality to quickly get the sound running through your mind. The track is confidently built, structured to hold attention from start to finish – a versatile composition and performance, always resolving to that satisfying peak that is the repeating sentiment of ‘If you want me, just say that.’
The idea is simple; no complexity, no mixed messages – keep things focused and say what you mean. Life’s too short to waste time leaving hints and worrying about what other people think. Say That gets all of this laid down with style and substance, and its an impressive addition to an extensive RnB catalogue from Fonz – an indie corner of modern music that’s ready and waiting to shine a little swagger and soul into the genre.
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