Cassie Steele's "Mad" - Single Review

   There's no denying Degrassi, the Canadian teenage drama that dealt with underage drinking, sexuality revelations, murder and an unlimited amount of sex, is one of my favorite shows. It's just so scandalous and as real as high school gets.

   However, when the show's original stars, like Cassie Steele, left the production, it got a bit stale and interest was immediately lost. Steele played Manny Santos, an aspiring singer and it seems art imitates life as Steele ventured on a music career of her own with two full albums already under her belt and her latest effort, "Mad", released just last month.

   While it was assumed the TV actress would come out with the typical, uptempo pop track, she certainly proved everyone wrong with a edgy and moody, jazz-like production that focuses all attention on her incredibly impressive vocals and equally thrilling songwriting. With a captivating beat, one that did not overpower Steele in any way, the singer/songwriter describes her dark side, her love for the drink and those hot and heavy moments in life.

   "If you think you're some demented miscreant with no where headed, then I got somewhere you should be," Steele sings on the "Mad" hook before the commanding chorus comes through to really bring the track together. Though I never followed Steele after her Degrassi exit, I never got a chance to play her last two albums, she has certainly triggered my interest with the new release. The single seems true to her sound and image, does not appear forced and showcases her vocal abilities rather well while still standing out from the crowd of today's popular music.

   To go along with the release of "Mad", Steele shared the accompanying lyric video which shows the artist looking absolutely gorgeous and real under a black and white filter. Just as the song, the new video appears raw, slightly emotional and honest, hopefully a tease and what to expect from any upcoming official visuals from Miss Steele. If you need a fresh approach on the pop genre, you do not need to look any further than the embedded video below.

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