Get lost in GoNorthToGoSouth

David Seaman | Echo

2.5 out of 4 stars

The song "Try" sung by pop star Pink, has been given significant airplay recently. It's catchy mainstream pop: a nice mid-tempo beat with uplifting lyrics. But it wasn't written by Pink. It was written by Mike Busbee (busbee) and Ben West.

Songwriters writing pieces for stars is nothing new, but most songwriters don't sing their own material. Busbee and West do.

Each has worked individually with some of the biggest names in music. Busbee has written tracks for stars such as Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, Katy Perry and more. Ben West has worked on shows like "Glee" and with indie groups like Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr.

Now these writers have combined to form GoNorthToGoSouth, so named for the L.A.-based busbee and Detroit-based West. They've just released their debut EP "Lost and Found," now streaming online. The extended play features six tracks including "Try," which was recorded and released by Pink in 2012 but originally written by the duo.

Most of the songs deal with hanging on to love and living for the now, which are common themes in today's mainstream pop. Despite some cliché lyrics the songs are certainly catchy. "I Got Today" has an absolutely killer beat, with whistling and heavy percussion creating a bouncy and fun vibe. "Funny are the people / who wake up waiting for the rain to fall / couldn't be happy even if we were living in the Taj Mahal" may not be the most profound lyrics, but the song is both entertaining and thoughtful. Unfortunately, amidst verses talking about materialism and depression is a rather conventional chorus, which brings the song down from being the best of the bunch.

There's a reason Pink sang "Try" for the radio and not West and busbee. The duo emphasises the rock in the pop rock ballad and try for falsetto, with disappointing results. A female voice frankly just sounds better for a song dealing with taking risks with love, and this version feels slow and uninspiring.

Songs such as "Turn It Up" and "Get Lost" are ripe for the dance floor. Electronic beats spice up the lyrics and have an almost hypnotic feel. There's certainly some autotune in here, but busbee and West's voice stand out the clearest in these tracks.

"I Found Me" is the most interesting track sonically. It has an international/world music sound, with lots of percussion to lay down a heavy beat. It's the most inventive song of the EP with its creative lyrics and uniqueness.

"Only One For Me" rounds up the track list. It's a romantic song with cliche romantic lyrics ("your eyes are like the starlight shining through the summer's air"), but it has a certain innocent charm that makes it work.

All of these songs are radio-friendly and safe from a production standpoint. Nobody will be complaining or arguing about the lyrical content. GoNorthToGoSouth could use this opportunity to create some edgier and more sophisticated lyrics. Despite a lack of subtle songwriting, the band does has a great sound that can become even better down the road. The tracks are prime for pop stars to pick up. If the duo sharpens their vocals slightly and improve on their writing, they can make something special.

All tracks are available for purchase on iTunes and are streaming online. You can listen to them all below, courtesy of Soundcloud.