REVIEW: "Multivitamin" by Taylor Tote
Taylor Tote
A Summer Anthem From A Jersey Shore Native.
New Jersey indie-pop artist Taylor Tote has released a catchy new single titled “Multivitamin” to round out her busy year. This is the second single put out by Tote in 2021, following her solo EP ‘21 Min Drive,’ and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The song is perfect for poolside parties, chats by the beach, and long Summer car rides.
“I came up with the concept of Multivitamin while I was on a road trip with two of my best friends,” writes Taylor, “I planned this trip well before I realized how bad I needed the soul searching. I was in a weird place, and I felt like I lost my sense of self.” Tote continues saying, “I’m not sure exactly what it was, but there was a moment when I was in the back of the car cutting through Colorado when I was like, Multivitamin... that’s a cool song title.”
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Don’t be fooled by the poppy synthesizer and syncopated backbeat; there is more to this song than first meets the eye. The lyrics are surprisingly soulful, as Tote’s multivitamins serve as an allegory for self-help and improvement. “The song isn’t ACTUALLY about taking multivitamins,” explains Tote, “though it can be, but it really serves as a metaphor for doing what you need to do to feel like your best self and without entirely relying on other people’s opinions to measure your value.”
Aside from being a superb Summer single, one of the things I love about “Multivitamin” is that it continues the evolution of Taylor’s music, even from just a couple of months ago. Musically, Tote has shown that she can adeptly write and perform songs in any genre, whether it be classic pop, indie rock, and even melancholy psychedelia. Tote’s previous single, “My Dear Friend,” which she released alongside Max Viner and JON BOY, is a Beach House-Esque lamentation of times past and a new sense of belonging.
This time around, Tote teamed up with producer-songwriter Russell Hayden, who says that he “wanted something fun and that anyone could dance to. Bright synths, retro drums, and a half-time outro that I’ll never get tired of. “Multivitamin” is a fun pop track that leaves you wanting more.”
Photos by Jonny Servais.
As a veteran of the Jersey music scene, Taylor has performed in some of the shore’s most iconic venues, such as the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, where artists like Southside Johnny, who she opened for back in 2014, and Bruce Springsteen got their start.
In addition to having tons of natural talent, as well as a beautiful voice, Tote has worked extremely hard to get where she is, balancing college with studio time and live touring. There is no doubt in my mind that Tote is on an upward trajectory to stardom and will continue to mesmerize her fans with each new release. She says that she is “excited for the world to hear this song and dance and sing along aloud. Turn up the volume and blast all summer long, all year long.” I couldn’t agree more.
Written by Patrick Breen