REVIEW: Rob Alexander — Get Over Yourself (SINGLE)
Rob Alexander’s “Get Over Yourself” has a storm the ramparts quality seldom heard in modern pop music. It should surprise no one who has followed the South Florida-based singer/songwriter since his debut six years ago. He’s released four albums and counting in that span and the newest collection from Alexander, Young Man’s Eyes, ratchets up the stakes. “Get Over Yourself” is evidence of an artist more engaged than ever before.
What is it that makes this single fly?
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There’s the pacing. The go-for-broke tempo of the song takes no prisoners and dovetails nicely into the song’s underlying message. Alexander isn’t serving up some trite paint-by-numbers love song, he isn’t brooding over heartbreak or lost love, there’s no navel-gazing. In fact, it’s the anthesis of the latter. He’s shaking us by our figurative lapels and pushing us to get outside of ourselves, to see how we figure into the universe around us and connect with the needs of others.
Another high point is the presence of a second vocalist. Alexander recruited Gigi Worth to join him for this performance and her vocal contributions are, in many ways, a crowning touch elevating the song many notches. Worth is a well-known and respected name in the modern music world thanks to a long career working with the likes of Whitney Houston, David Foster, David Crosby, and an assortment of others. She has a soulful and impassioned voice that provides “Get Over Yourself” with a rousing contrast.
There’s a strong musical mix distinguishing the song as well. It isn’t solely reliant on keyboards/synthesizers and incorporates effective guitar passages through the verses. It even embraces a genuine guitar hero moment with the solo near the track’s conclusion, but don’t fret, it isn’t needless wanking. Alexander records with members of Frankie Valli’s touring band and current members of Elton John’s band, so everything serves a purpose. There’s no useless ornamentation.
The song’s chorus is worth the price of purchase alone. It’s bracing to hear Alexander ramp up the musical intensity as the cut turns into its refrain and his vocals answer the moment. He flexes the full power of his voice without ever going overboard and it’s a portion of the song that underlines the song’s central theme with vital immediacy. He’s tailored every aspect of this performance to connect with a wallop rather than leaving listeners wishy-washy about its value.
It’s an outstanding choice for Young Man’s Eyes’ first single. Rob Alexander has an astute ear for songwriting and choosing collaborators best suited for realizing his vision. He’s an artist who has accumulated more experience with each new release and continues fine-tuning his skills rather than resting with a comfortable formula. We can expect him to continue conquering new peaks as his career develops. “Get Over Yourself” should check off every box for Alexander’s new and existing fans. He’s pulled off quite a coup with this single and I expect it will be his greatest success yet in a career that continues climbing higher every year.
Colin Jordan
