Never Shout Never is the moniker of Christofer Drew, an 18-year-old singer/songwriter who has rapidly gained popularity through a steady stream of online EPs and nationwide touring. Drew has delivered a proper full-length with his Warner Bros. debut What is Love?, an eight-song collection that shows the Missouri-born songwriter’s maturity. However, on this record, he still maintains the childish pop sensibility that won him a legion of MySpace fans.
The driving intro track, "Love is Our Weapon," touches on politics. In it, Drew declares, "Love is the weapon/For this wounded generation." The track is instantly catchy, and Drew sets the course for the rest of the record when he croons, "Love is the only thing that has kept me believing."
The plucky "Jane Doe" is as simple and elegant as a love song gets, showcasing the growth of Drew's vocal cords as well as his songwriting chops. The equally sweet "Can't Stand It" is the most unapologetically cutesy track on the record, delivering a sugar rush of a chorus that can be infectious or irritating, depending on your taste.
"Sacrilegious" pits Drew in a musical confessional, revealing the singer's personal idea of faith. Once the sweeping harmonies wrap around him singing "Hallelujah," it's almost impossible not to get chills from the choir.
The album’s lead single, "I Love You 5," sits among the cheeky, light-hearted material, and is one of the most well structured tracks on the disc. The palm-muted acoustic chords of "California" give way to appropriately sunny melodies that, like most of the record, are more than ready for mainstream radio play.
The final two tracks on the record aren't careless pop ditties, but rather mature, melancholy glimpses into Drew's personal life. The urgent, dark folk sound of "What is Love?" finds the singer/songwriter frantically strumming, asking for an answer for the aforementioned question.
Drew bares it all for the listener on slow-burning album closer "The Past," discussing his use of marijuana in a hometown he never fit into. His backing band builds up the track nicely, eventually allowing him to admit, "All I wanted was love."
What is Love? demonstrates that Drew is in a growth period. The love songs he's known for are countered by honest takes on politics, religion, his family, and even himself (not to mention some out-of-character swearing). Drew has a high-pitched wail and knows his way around a great melody, though if you can't stand his voice, this record won't change your mind. Although the album would benefit from more grown-up songs such as "Sacrilegious" and "The Past," this artist exhibits an undeniable songwriting talent throughout.
Clocking in at just over 20 minutes, What is Love? is shockingly short for a full-length debut. This keeps the album from growing stale, but also prevents it from finding a real identity. Though the balance of serious and radio-ready material works, it's hard to tell which direction Drew was moving toward. Regardless, the 18-year-old is a prodigal pop artist with endless potential, and these eight songs are some of his most finely crafted tunes yet.
Rating: 7/10
Check Out: "Sacrilegious," "What Is Love?," "The Past"
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