Review: ‘Generous’ confuses image of Disney star Holt

Courtesy of Hollywood Records

Courtesy of Hollywood Records/MOXIE

Michelle Kee, Correspondent

As a little girl, I remember watching Olivia Holt from her role on “Kickin’ It” and other Disney Channel shows and movies. After she left Disney, I heard she became more focused on her singing career when she signed with Hollywood Records. So when I heard she released a new single on Sept. 21, I was definitely curious. The music video was released the following day on Freeform. After watching the music video and listening to the song, I was surprised by both.

Her new single, entitled “Generous,” is more grown up and sexual than what I expected of this 20-year old singer. I was confused at the end of the song that I watched it a few more times. Although the song itself can get catchy after the fifth time listening to it, the lyrics are pretty suggestive of her feeling “generous” tonight.

Also, I was disappointed with why there was so much autotune added to her voice. The way the production team played with it gave it a very techy pop vibe. I felt like it wasn’t authentic enough. I wanted to hear her voice more.

I found the music video to be produced really well. However, I felt like it didn’t match the song. The music video shows Holt in different shots of her in a hotel, dressed as a guest, a maid, in a purple dress, in a revealing suit, and in a tub. At first, I didn’t quite understand the music video of why she was in a hotel in the first place until I read the lyrics.

Maybe it was my own knowledge of her as an innocent Disney teenager or just my distaste for this type of pop music lyrics, but I was in utter confusion after the music video ended. Literally, the video ended with her in a car driving out of the shot. I didn’t quite understand that. In my mind, the “Generous” music video didn’t have anything really special I wouldn’t forget. I’m disappointed to say I think “Generous” falls into the category of just another typical young artist’s pop song.

Even though I didn’t particularly like it doesn’t mean that I hated it. I like pop music and it was entertaining to watch, but it wasn’t my cup of tea to watch on replay. I think anyone who enjoys pop songs and doesn’t mind the suggestive lyrics would really enjoy her song.

So given this one song, I hope that Olivia Holt’s next single will feature her authentic voice and her own style more. I hope that she continues to grow as an artist and adult, but still have that spark I loved in her as a Disney girl.