Music Review: Emblem3 "Chloe (You're The One I Want)"

Emblem3

Chloe (You’re The One I Want)

Album: Nothing to Lose

Year: 2013

         Wesley Stromberg prefers the low-key Chloe over her popular sister in the greasy “Chloe (You’re The One I Want.”)

       A simple guitar opens the single, setting a floudering tone. Wesley starts the single with part of the chorus..No one really pays attention to Chloe unless if it has something to do with her sister. But he has been friends with her since middle school. She helped him get through square dancing classes. Ever since then, they’ve hung out. Over the past year, he has grown to like her as more than a friend. (“Chloe I know your sister turns everyone  on/But you're the one I want, yeah/(“Chloe I know your sister turns everyone  on/But you're the one I want, yeah.”)

       Drew Chadwick has the first verse. Chloe’s sister and her friends are chatting in the hall, taking over the entire section. As they squeal and gossip, other people walk past them. Some of them apologize for bumping into her (to which she doesn’t even respond, not even noticing them). Some brave people chirp out a hello, which gets her attention. She waves back with a toothy smile and rolls her eyes once they leave.  She’s been Homecoming Queen three years in a row, letters in three sports, and is expected to graduate with honors in the spring. She’d rather be the center of attention at a party, flirting and drinking the night away. Chloe is the one people can talk to about personal problems.  A homemade birthday card is something she would appreciate. She stands out without even realizing it. (“Front page magazine/Everybody says that she's the queen/But that's you to me/I just want to let let you know that/She likes the flashing lights/I love the way you like candle light/Stay close by my side/I just want a chance to show you that.”)

       Keaton Stromberg and Chadwick have the pre-chorus, In the pre-chorus, he would like to be the person in her life who makes her feel good about herself, encouraging her to be her own person outside of her sister. (“If only you could believe in yourself the way I believe in you/I, I do  (but you're the one I want)/If only you see all of the beautiful things that I see in you/It's true.”)

     They all join in for the full chorus. He’s seen Chloe try to dress like her sister, imitating the cheeky lilt in her voice.  However, unlike her sister, Chloe can rattle off the witty one-liners, setting off fits of laughter among her friends.  He likes her for her and is a decent guy, unlike the narrow-minded captain of the football team her sister dates that teases him and his other friends for the most minor things. (“Chloe I know your sister turns everyone on/But oh baby, I have no doubt your the one that I want/You think she's got it all but that don't make her better/You got my heart and that's the only thing that matters/Chloe I know your sister turns everyone on/But you're the one I want, yeah/ Chloe I know your sister turns everyone on/But you're the one I want, yeah.”)

      Chadwick has the second verse. Her sister cares about what types of cars of people drive, wearing the most expensive clothes and the right parties to go. But once high school ends, she may see that not everyone is going to fall at her feet. However, he and Chloe can go far. After high school, the y can go away to college together. He can study business and she’ll major in art history. When she talks about the differences between Impressionism and Dadaism, her voice becomes authoritative, losing its meekness he hears when they are at school. She has beautiful smile, a genuine one that puts him at ease right away. They should be high school sweethearts. (“Fast lanes, limousines /Baby there can be not guarantees /But if, you're with me you know that I can guarantee/Cause I'm attracted to your passion, be yourself, forget the fashion/Just keep that smile on that you're flashing/You and I deserve to be forever ever lasting.”)

           Keaton and Drew sing the pre-chorus.

          They all join in for another chorus.

          They all sing in the bridge.  He thinks people should see Chloe for who she is. At the high school reunion, after it’s been reported in the alumni magazine that she has been commissioned to create sculptures for Fortune 500 companies, people will finally see what they missed. (“All you Chloe you Chloe's/They don't show you love enough/You should know that you're my diamond in the rough.”)

          They all join in for the chorus to end the single.

      Emblem3’s scratchy, flat vocals are stuffed with phlegm, coughing out the words in monotone. They have the best intentions but are immature in their approach. Somehow, reminding Chloe of how awesome her sister while saying she’s ok the way she is comes across as condescending. It’s as though dating him would make her life easier and then she can form her own identity. She’ll be going from one person’s shadow to another.

    The repellant “Chloe (You’re The One I Want)” cannot even attract One Direction’s star power.