Last year Mabel cemented her “must watch newcomer” status with the release of her diverse debut album ‘High Expectations’ which further explored her rhythmic sonic and heard her injecting a raw vulnerability into her songwriting.
The British singer-songwriter is currently in the middle of a huge Europe and UK tour, and she’s decided to drop a new self-empowering song which is dedicated to everyone who wants somebody to love but needs a reminder to love themselves first.
‘Boyfriend’ hears Mabel confessing that she wants a boyfriend but she wants one on her terms. She doesn’t want to change who she is just to impress someone, she wants someone who can look after themselves and she wants someone to love her for her.
“I want a boyfriend, so put it on me. I’m looking for a man who can take that heat. Want a boyfriend, but not too sweet. My baby gotta be tough while he running that street” she sings during the playful hook.
The rhythmic beat that drives the chorus is very similar to ‘Don’t Call Me Up’ with it’s pulsating energy, while the bridge is a little too sugary-sweet and reminds me of ‘Pretty Girls’ by Britney Spears which is not the comparison she wants to get when she was referencing Aaliyah in the studio sessions.
At it’s core the song is catchy and will grow on you after a few listeners, but compared to some of her previous releases, this song fades into the background.