Canada Gets Another Bieber with Zanrosso

Fifteen-year old girls around the world get ready for another irritating teenage pop star to swoon over.

Seventeen year old Canadian Brock Zanrosso recently released his debut EP “Prelude” to a gaggle of anxiously awaiting tweens most likely with tears streaming down their faces in anticipation while their parents waited in the car listening to Rush’s “Greatest Hits.”

O Canada, for shame.

In 2009 Zanrosso, then only 15 years old, became a Top 6 finalist and eventually the first runner up on YTV’s “The Next Star,” Canada’s version of American Idol. He emerged from the experience with a dedicated fan base and a single that was produced by the successful Canadian pop singer and record producer, Shawn Desman.

Since his stint in reality TV Zanrosso continued to find the spotlight as his single “Suffocate,” which also appears on the EP, was featured on the hit television show “Degrassi.” The dance track few stylistic changes throughout. A synth skips through the backend of the intro and gives way to Zanrosso’s melody, then returns for the last half of his verse. A techno led chorus breaks into a dub step intro to the second verse which rushes quickly back to a chorus. For the bridge the track is run through a filter and faded back in for a dramatic reintroduction.

Zanrosso isn’t the only entertainer to use “Degrassi” as a career launch pad. Now a rapper, Drake initially played Jimmy Brooks on the show, a wheelchair bound kid with artistic leanings and relationship trouble.

Gangsta.

“Prelude” is a five track EP whose lead off track “Edge (End Of The World)” is also retouched as a “Hipjoint Remix” to finish off the album. The remix dirties up the bass section in a trance fashion for a more club friendly texture. The song outlines a couple where the next day one has to leave. Zanrosso sings from the perspective of the one who will be left behind and tells the story of how they will make the most of their last night together. The vast majority of “Edge” is chorus and pre-chorus, only eight lines of verse throughout the entire 3:41 of song. The track is radio ready and primed for a prom-night playlist as Zanrosso sings “baby tonight were gonna kiss like it’s the end of the world” for essentially the entire song.
“Perfect Storm” is the follow up single of the EP whose official music video was also recently released. Zanrosso performs in the vein of a Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” album, including the eyeliner but minus the opportune vogue interludes. With his ultra-high energy power-pop approach it is easily the stand out track of the EP.

Zanrosso slows things down for the centerpiece track, “The Only One.” A medley of orchestral strings back Zanrosso as he asks, “Why d’ you want a love like that? / he treats you crap / but you take him back.” This track has much more a story to it than the others, although his chorus dominated structure does persist here. Zanrosso reiterates throughout that he cannot fix another’s problems, only she can. It’s not quite the knight in shining armor mantra, but it’s a new time.

“Prelude” is a perfect title for the EP, as it will surely be just that for his music career. The outline of this track list covers all the contemporary pop basics for a new artist. Zanrosso has already developed a dedicated fan base that will devour this EP like their sugary breakfast cereal before first period so billboard success seems only contingent on time.