A jazzy and familiar MJ beat comes into focus and is quickly adorned with kaleidoscopic melodies, the best of which originate from a staggered yet gentle rhythm. There are no glittery synths, no bloated basslines. Will Wheaton hasn’t even started singing, but the mood is difficult for anyone within earshot to ignore. This is “Lady in My Life,” the new single from the acclaimed rising star Wheaton, and much like its title implies, it’s an anthem of everyday existence that doesn’t necessarily serve as just another social commentary or cover of Michael Jackson’s immensely awesome discography. Wheaton has got his heart on his sleeve and all of his passion pouring into the mic in this track, which despite having some incredible company on the scene at the moment, could be the best song this artist has written.
They say that every good pop single starts with a powerful chorus, and while I can’t say for certain whether or not this is how “Lady in My Life” was born, it’s got one of the sexier climaxes I’ve reviewed in April. There’s a light modulation to the reverb on Wheaton’s vocal that allows for his voice to spring right back into the bassline whenever he belts out a verse, and in the chorus, the only element more powerful than his singing is the thrust of the backing band (which offers us a lot of juxtaposition in addition to a foundation here). The hook in this song makes it a star, but the musician bringing it to life is what solidifies it as an unforgettable slice of springtime pop.
The narrative in “Lady in My Life” definitely fits in well with the general vibe this player is looking to create, but I think there’s something particularly unique about the way Wheaton goes about presenting it to the audience in this instance. He’s so upbeat in his delivery, so uncontrollably carefree, that even his execution produces a level of emotionality that is starkly uncommon among mainstream pop releases dominating the charts at the moment, and while his words are blunt and devoid of the enigmatic qualities a lot of hipster listeners might be looking for, they’re surreally perfect for the tone of the melodies accompanying them. There are a lot of working parts to this single, but one component you won’t find here is filler (of any variety).
Will Wheaton pulls us across the finish line in his latest single on the back of an easy instrumental groove that soon fades into the silence like a setting sun on the western horizon, and when “Lady in My Life” has finally concluded, the memory of its stately harmonies is not easy for even the most stoic of critics to escape. If previous works have served as this artist’s game-changing moment, then I think this song is its most important cornerstone, and likely a beacon we can all look towards when trying to decipher what will come next from Wheaton. He’s set an impeccable stage for himself with his first releases, and from the looks of this new single, he’s still got a lot left in the tank to share.
