Reality TV series X Factor sure has a history of manufacturing bands out of its wannabee solo contestants not least during the period when Tulisa was on the mentoring / judging panel. The 8th Series saw Tulisa preside over both the formation of eventual winners Little Mix and the lesser received bands Nu Vibe and The Risk each of whom saw an early exit from the competition.
Whilst Nu Vibe, who went out first traded a member over into The Risk, the boyband also succumbed to the fate of a mid-series exit, unlike Nu Vibe who put closure on their project pretty swiftly after the series ended, The Risk valiantly carried forward to release two singles “Missiles” and “Peaches And Cream” before calling time to pursue solo careers.
Cue Dez Mensa! The former The Risk member who has spent some time away from the spotlight thereafter, but has been actively working on solo material which he is now ready to launch.
Taking a lead from The Risk’s urban directive, Dez sets forth on his solo career with first effort “Way Too Drunk” a neon embellished, club assisted jam maintained of noticeable R’n’B sensibility. The woozily suggestive title drawing the tone of the track which connects with living to the point of excess.
The overall sound I’m finding, is coming over as being a tad recycled in homage to Justin Timberlake or Craig David. However, I do feel Dez’s vocals are something worth mentioning as they are full of confidence and conviction, which pushes the faith in me to believe that there is some future potential here with regards to expanding his solo career.
One the face of it, “Way Too Drunk” is rather predictable club fodder but nonetheless, doesn’t do such a bad job of raising awareness to Dez’s vocal talent and planting him on the emerging solo artist trajectory. As a debut effort it all feels rather safe, yet by the same token I am sparked in interest to see where Dez’s next move might take him.
As I’m seeing it right now, if this track was to bust out of a club set list, it would have me non-hesitantly twerking a move or two.