SONG REVIEW: Nick Karcher - "How To Lose A Guy"
Nick Karcher draws on the classic era of pop-punk in the romantic comedy-inspired “How To Lose a Guy”
Written by JD Walker
Pop-punk has gone through a renaissance in recent years, with even the most famous of pop artists like Machine Gun Kelly and Willow Smith now drawing heavy inspiration from the genre. What makes the sound so attractive is the fact that songwriting and catchy melodies take precedence over all - Nick Karcher is no exception, as his latest single “How To Lose A Guy” is laden with smooth vocal hooks and addictive melodies. In addition to a solidly-written song, “How To Lose a Guy” draws inspiration from the massively popular romantic comedy of the same name.
The song, while falling in the pop-punk category, draws more influence from pop rather than punk (and that’s by no means a bad thing). Karcher’s vocals are extremely easy to listen to, as his delivery is both smooth and clear. The timbre of his voice sits a bit higher in the mix, avoiding any weird frequency phasing that might muddy the song as a whole. The instrumental is well written, and while it stays pretty straight forward it’s still quite entertaining to listen to. The song combines a vast array of synth sounds with a crunchy guitar rhythm for a tune that continues to drive forward while retaining a sense of ambiance and atmosphere.
“How To Lose A Guy” is very much vocally-driven and the lyrics lament of broken relationships and the yearning to reconnect. Karcher examines many of the elements that make a breakup so painful, even years after the fact - this includes seeing your ex in public after the dust settles, being reminded of painful memories around a holiday that used to be special, and the regrets of what might have been if circumstances were different.
The video, while sticking to a performance-based presentation, features plenty of eye-catching elements. The color palette features a heavy selection of reds, purples, and blues, with the lighting matching the upbeat melancholy of the song. Karcher is shown delivering the lines of the song in a multitude of settings, including a phone booth and with his backing band.
“How To Lose A Guy” is a well-executed song through and through, with its strongest element being by far the most important in the pop-punk genre: songwriting. “How To Lose A Guy” is an easy listen from start to finish and Karcher’s vocal style leaves little to be desired - he showcases his talent well and delivers the lyrics with soul and emotion. Overall, Nick Karcher’s brand of pop-punk is one that can appeal to a wide audience well beyond the typical crowd of alternative music.