Quality vocals, video lacks polish.
By Raif Karerat
WASHINGTON, DC: Indo-Canadian artist Preet Mani is ushering the spring with a new Punjabi single called “Long Drive,” which musically chronicles the tale of a man who wants to lavish and pamper his significant other.
The melody is the result of Mani collaborating with lyricists and producers around the world. While the choruses echo modern pop’s tendency to border on the overly repetitive, the quality of Mani’s vocals and the shift his producers put in shine right through.
The video contrasts Mani’s life with and without his special lady by switching aesthetics between the monotone austerity of a snowy winter drive and warmly colored, golden opulence when he is on screen with his love.
While the vocal production is on point, the video lacks the sort of polish that could differentiate it from the deluge of media that is uploaded to YouTube on a daily basis. The pacing also drags and doesn’t particularly lend itself to creating a purposeful direction for the visual story that is being told.
Recently, Mani spent time travelling through India, where he explored his cultural roots in an effort to imbue his music with more identity. The singer travelled throughout different cities, working with multiple musicians, producers, and other vocalists to refine his sound.
“I have spent the past year discovering myself and experimenting with music. I am a Punjabi artist and want to make sure my songs share the rich culture,” he stated in a release.