ZOEE

                                                               "Whatever It Takes" 

                                                                Independent Release

Having created substantial buzz on her new EP Waves (out 8/4/23) with several singles ahead of its release date  -“Dirty Blonde,” ‘Pick Me Up,” “Castles In The Sand” and “Coastline Time” - Zoee offered a full spectrum view into who she is as overall artist, songwriter, and vocalist by fusing her throwback pop flare into a modern country tilt that’s perfectly suited each tempo pacing and uber satisfying melody.

Correlating one last teaser in conjunction with the EP release date, the Australian native delivered her highly anticipated “Whatever It Takes,” completing the puzzle of who she is as she invites the listener into her journey to Nashville in pursuit of her music dreams.

Co-written by Zoee with Grammy and CMA nominated James House and Warner's Stone Aielli, as much as this song is the sharing of her journey, especially within the second verse, the lyric is so cleverly crafted that it plays out more like an encouraging note from a big sister/best friend who is reaching back from their spot on the mountain to grab hold of generation next and pull them up.

The opening verse carries a very conversational tone to it, bringing us straight to the moment where Zoee is now answering the young dreamer who’s just asked her about the journey, reminding them to travel light and move fast, that they’re not as lost as they might feel, etc.

But it’s when she punches the chorus, lifting the music to strike the excitement of the lessons being given away, that Zoee puts on a full display of what it looks like to be doing whatever it takes to make your dreams come to fruition, listing several different pieces of advice:

“Got a dream, better get ready to race…I mean fast like never putting on the brakes”

“Keep pushing through the hurts and the heartaches”

“Don’t ever be afraid to lose your way”

Injecting the already encouraging song with a sing along through its outro only draws the listener in that much more, while also displaying a pure audience participation moment that will have her live crowd fully invested as they slow sway their arms side to side in the air with the addictive melody.

Advice songs like this were very relevant to country music not even a decade ago, and they’re always a much-needed asset for the young dreamer who just got off the bus in Nashville with a guitar case full of dreams.

While this souped-up single version is a breath of fresh air that combines all the distinctive characteristics that have defined Zoee’s current chapter, there’s also an incredible acoustic version as a bonus track on the EP that’s well worth checking out.

(Review Written By: Jeffrey Kurtis)

• Prev
• Next