Artist: Lincoln
Title: Overdrive
Genre(s): Pop, Nu-disco, Psychedelic Pop
Length: 3:45
Writer(s): L.Keaton, C.Hudson
Producer(s): BLOOM
Label: Permanent Reminder
From The Album: Sorry To Interrupt
INFORMATION"Overdrive" is a song recorded by British-Azeri singer-songwriter Lincoln. It serves as the sixth official single from Lincoln's highly-anticipated and oft-delayed debut studio album, "Sorry To Interrupt". The song was released on January 14th, 2025 through Permanent Reminder Records. After a series of delays, the song finally follows on from his fifth consecutive chart-topping single; "The Party Never Dies" which was released back in 2022. The track was written by Lincoln and Christopher Hudson, whom Keaton has formed a fruitful creative partnership with. The pair have been responsible for most of Keaton's chart-topping hits. Production of the song was handled by BLOOM. "Overdrive" was initially conceptualised in the winter of 2023 before undergoing a litany of tweaks and changes over the following year. The finalised incarnation of the song was completed in November 2024, with Lincoln holding off the official release of the song until the holiday season was over.
Lyrically, "Overdrive" is a playful song which sees Lincoln and his partner toying with the idea of taking their relationship to the next level. The entire track is scattered with vehicular and mechanical terminologies and metaphors, hence the title. The end goal of the track's lyrical content isn't explicitly stated, therefore leaving the song's meaning up to interpretation. This has caused some light controversy amongst some listeners and reviewers. Although Keaton has gone on record claiming that the song is about wanting to go public with his love for a person, making the relationship serious and exclusive, some believe that the track is about having sexual intercourse for the first time in a relationship, with others stating that the song is about losing one's virginity entirely. This theory contradicts wildly against Lincoln's wholesome, boy next door, role model public image. Keaton states, however, that this is not the case.
"Overdrive" is an upbeat pop song with amalgamating elements of nu-disco, psychedelic pop and post-disco pop. The song boasts a strong combination of synthesised programming and live musicianship. A heavy, kicking bass and playful hand percussion percolate under shimmering, plinking synth keys before a gnarling electric guitar swirls into play. The erratic, dizzying production brings a psychedelic element into the basis of what would normally be considered as a fine-tuned and polished pop song. Like Lincoln's other works, despite the quirky production choices, "Overdrive" is still distinctly inspired by 1980's pop music.
SONG COMMENTARYLincoln wrote:"I really, really wanted to do something that was just super crazy and fun. Before I knew what I even wanted to write, I just had this itch to do a really wild, bombastic track. I think it's because I had spent quite a while writing and recording a bunch of slower, mid-tempos for the album at that point, hehe! I was in the studio with Cristian [BLOOM] and I asked him if he had any sort of big, whacky ideas with him. He played me some snippets of stuff he was working on and one of them was the instrumental for what would become "Overdrive". That mad guitar intro had me hooked right off the bat and then when the synths came in?! It really called to me. I knew we had to work and build on it. It took a while because the track he had at the time was incomplete and bare bones in comparison to what we have today. I asked him if he could pleaseeeee keep the beat for me, which he did. I then called up The Hudson again for the next session because I knew that he'd also want to get his hands on such an epic sounding track. Him and I work so well together and always come up with our best melodies when we bounce our ideas off of one another."
"We went into the track with having fun being the only goal. For a while, I was writing very personal and deeper stuff. I wanted to step away from that and do a bit of a reset. Just do something really carefree, you know? I was on the mic just dropping ideas and with the sound of the track being quite harsh and guitar heavy in places, it was reminding me of gears and machinery. That's when the whole "Overdrive" concept came about. Christopher and I then just put our pop music heads on and rolled with that idea. Even though it sounds like a dancing or workout anthem, "Overdrive" effectively did become a love song. It's about wanting to push through and take that jump, becoming serious with someone. Commitment is a scary thing for a lot of people but it can be so, so beautiful. I didn't want to tap too much into those fears and worries, instead I'm telling people to just go for it! Take that leap of faith. I didn't really want to pen another love song at the time but I guess that's just where my head was at, hehe! It's kept vague enough though that it's still a really light, enjoyable listen."
CRITICAL RECEPTION"Overdrive" was met with widespread acclaim from fans and critics upon its release. Amanda Bennett of
The Guardian awarded the song 4.5 out of 5 stars, mentioning that although
"the lyrics aren't as sharp as some of Keaton's previous releases, the Liverpudlian performer proves that even at his most carefree, pop music runs effortlessly through his veins". Colin Jenkins of
The Line of Best Fit opined that Keaton's pop sensibilities are
"as polished as ever" and stated that while the song
"doesn't reinvent the wheel, we'll all have an exhilarating time riding the track into overdrive." Kasia Randall of
Variety branded the song as a
"bona fide Hudson-co-penned rush of sugary pop adrenaline that does exactly what it says on the tin."Peter Little of
ThatMusicSite listened to an early preview of the song in 2024, provided by Keaton himself, to which the journalist posted;
"I've heard the upcoming Lincoln single and it may very possibly become his biggest song yet. Epic in all proportions.". Dennis Callard of NME awarded the song 4 out of 5 stars and stated;
"Overdrive shows Lincoln at his peak pop tour de force, going for a heavier, grimier, beastlier sound while simultaneously (and miraculously) coming across more bubbly and frothy than ever." Writing for
Pitchfork, Kim Welch opined that
"if Lincoln and his label are well and truly sorting their act out and rebooting this often ill-fated album campaign, then "Overdrive" is definitely the shot of adrenaline that was needed to reignite interest and life in it all." Welch then positively compared the track to Keaton's highly successful debut single, stating;
"'Overdrive' is a sonic thump across the head and airwaves much like 'Bang The Drum' only more demanding, beefier and chaotic if you can even believe such a thing!"Clash crowned the track their 'Song of the Week' with Andy Sladen from the magazine writing;
"Ferociously catchy enough to pester the biggest radio and streaming playlists but sonically loopy and devastatingly intriguing to the degree in which it catches the attention of those who think mainstream pop music is far from cool, Lincoln is continuing to carve out his very niche and respected position in between Pop Prince and Indie Darling."
"OVERDRIVE"Let's do this...
If this love is way too much for you
Can't say that I'll apologise, ah-ah-I
If this love is burning up the room
Honey, let that pressure rise, ah-ah-I
I know you feel it
You know, you know you need this
I don't want to keep these systems cool
Let's push it into overdrive, ah-ah-ICan't get our bearings, got that whiplash
Onlookers claim we're going too fast
Perhaps we've been a little reckless
But if you ask me, I couldn't care less
Just gonna floor it through the gates
All accelerator, ain't no brakes
Losing grip on all our self-control
Tenterhooks, hanging on the telephone
Dancing around on the edge of desire
Reaching to touch a spark, a live wire
If this love is way too much for you
Can't say that I'll apologise, ah-ah-I
If this love is burning up the room
Honey, let that pressure rise, ah-ah-I
I know you feel it
You know, you know you need this
I don't want to keep these systems cool
Let's push it into overdrive, ah-ah-IWith every beat we synchronise
Rolling on like an endless tide
Think we're ready for that midnight ride
Let's push it into overdriveSpinning in circles all around our truth
When we know exactly what we should do
Watching each other squirm into new shapes
Guess half the thrill is in the chase
I'm not the only one, only one with these intentions
So, hit the gas and move in this direction
Losing grip on all our self-control
Tenterhooks, hanging on the telephone
Dancing around on the edge of desire
Reaching to touch a spark, a live wire
If this love is way too much for you
Can't say that I'll apologise, ah-ah-I
If this love is burning up the room
Honey, let that pressure rise, ah-ah-I
I know you feel it
You know, you know you need this
I don't want to keep these systems cool
Let's push it into overdrive, ah-ah-IWith every beat we synchronise
Rolling on like an endless tide
Think we're ready for that midnight ride
Let's push it into overdriveWith every beat we synchronise
Rolling on like an endless tide
Think we're ready for that midnight ride
Let's push it into overdriveIf this love is way too much for you
Can't say that I'll apologise, ah-ah-I
If this love is burning up the room
Honey, let that pressure rise, ah-ah-I
I know you feel it
You know, you know you need this
I don't want to keep these systems cool
Let's push it into overdrive, ah-ah-IIf this love is way too much for you
Can't say that I'll apologise, ah-ah-I
If this love is burning up the room
Honey, let that pressure rise, ah-ah-I
I know you feel it
You know, you know you need this
I don't want to keep these systems cool
Let's push it into overdrive, ah-ah-II know I'm not the only one, only one
I know I'm not the only one, only o-o-one
Only one, only one
I know I'm not the only one, one, one, one
I know I'm not the only one, only one
I know I'm not the only one, only o-o-one
Only one, only one
I know I'm not the only one, one, one, one
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