Fridae

Unfortunately, JC Chasez' last single "Until Yesterday" didn't really connect with listeners. I thought it was an exciting pop track with its hook-laden production and unusual lyrics about a man's girlfriend who is pregnant with another man's baby. It clicked and JC Chasez proved with the song that he is as talented (if not more) as his pal Justin Timberlake.

When I met Chasez late last year to discuss his second solo record, we chatted a lot about Freddie Mercury. The singer told me that the Queen singer had been a huge inspiration during the recording of the album. Not only musically, but also lyrically. "[Freddie Mercury] was definitely an inspiration for the first single and a few other
songs. His sense of arrangement is unlike anybody else's. I also like
his irony and sarcasm and that actually shows up in a couple of songs."

After "Until Yesterday" failed to capture a receptive audience, Chasez tries to kickstart momentum for his solo career with the single "You Ruined Me." The Mercury influence is obvious with the multi-layered harmonies, but I'm wondering what sound Chasez is really going for. Sure, it is slick, well-sung and definitely a worthy effort, but it doesn't stick as well as "Until Yesterday" did.

Listen to JC Chasez "You Ruined Me"