Enrique's "Heart" Is In The Wrong Place

The new single from Enrique Iglesias lacks heart. That's saying something considering the name of the song is called "Heart Attack". It's not his vocals that have me scratching my head. Relax, ladies. They're still swoon worthy. I could have done without the pandering voice modulation tricks. Even if Enrique is a spicy young Latino there's no need for him to Benjamin Button has artistic bent back to the late teenage years. The other major gripe I have is that this song is apparently supposed to lean heavy on the unrequited passion side. Yet the general aura permeating through the song has me wondering "Since when did Enrique Iglesias compromise his ethics in a bid to scoop up the Neon Trees audience?" To better grasp my meaning flash back to "Bailamos". That sounded true to both his Latino heritage and paternal bloodline. Now listen to Neon Trees "Animal". If you listen closely that sound and what Enrique's given his spirit over to are alarmingly identical. And another thing, given that heart attacks are one of the top exterminators of human beings, why are the rhythms so chipper? Heart attacks usually come with dry mouth, weak legs, and nausea. That's not exactly a thrill ride of the upbeat variety. Yet there's Senor Iglesias getting all mega sensitive ultra emotive on us while a peppy beat races behind him. Can you say awkward? This is a heart attack in the relationship context but that's hardly grounds for the brand of foot on the gas tempo this song gives us. Enrique plays wounded lover to the hilt. Tall drink of water that he is, the role fits him nicely. Said heart attack is motivated by the girl who left him. Living in a world without her is the ultimate agony. What's agonizing to me is hearing Enrique try to thrive using a musical toolbox that doesn't match his full-bodied artistry. Any one of a number of twentysomething flavor of the month bands could've been enlisted to put their spin on this theme using deceptively playful key selections as their paintbrushes of choice. That Enrique did the honors instead leaves me fearing that he's becoming the latest artist forced by the record industry to phone in a sure thing hit prospect instead of showing us his genuine persona. Pop radio may devour it but I'm not planning on coming back for seconds.