You may have heard the news about the new video for the song "Toothbrush" by DNCE, the pop band led by singer Joe Jonas, one of the former Jonas Brothers. The news of the "Toothbrush" music video stems a lot from the fact that plus-size model Ashley Graham plays the woman with whom Joe Jonas is in a relationship. Truth be told, the video is quite refreshing in this regard, especially in how it portrays the atypical couple in love. Jonas and Graham have fun together, whether it's dancing in his studio apartment, hitting the city or making love to each other.
Truth be told, it's actually just normal relationship stuff interspersed with scenes of the band playing the song. It fits the song's content overall: Jonas is talking sweetly and respectfully to the woman of his affections. It proves the diversity of the band's lyrical content. Their earlier smash, "Cake by the Ocean," was a more aggressive come-on song set to an irresistible bass line and Max Martin-strength hooks. However, compared to the silliness and sexism that undermined the video for "Cake by the Ocean," where a diverse team of 20 to 30 women faced off against model and controversial comedian Josh Ostrovsky, also known as The Fat Jew, in a cake-throwing competition. He's landing hit after hit against these women while he's dodging cake like Batman. The video for "Toothbrush" is definitely a step up for the band.
Unfortunately, the song is not. There's no doubt that the band is talented and funky. Check out their cover of Selena Gomez's "Hands to Myself" on YouTube when they were on "BBC Radio 1st Live Lounge" for further proof. The song is smooth and easygoing. The video elevates the beat, but it really does feel like a middling Maroon 5 song. The song is better than some of what Maroon 5 has come up with as of late, and it helps that Jonas is not as effective of a singer as Adam Levine, but definitely doesn't compare with the classics of Maroon 5. It also doesn't reach the splendid pop heights that "Cake by the Ocean" reached, but that song was also a surprise. Forget the Verizon commercials: If another pop star (like, say, Demi Lovato) got their hands on "Cake," it would've been a hit, anyway. The fact that Joe Jonas fronts the band doesn't lessen the quality of "Cake." In fact, it's better than anything that brother Nick has put out as a solo artist. "Toothbrush," sadly, brings Joe down a notch.
Still, Joe Jonas is proving that there's life after Disney. If "Toothbrush" reaches the Top 40, I wouldn't be angry. Still, after "Cake by the Ocean" was such a splash, anything after the phenomenon is perhaps going to be a disappointment. Nonetheless, DNCE has enough talent to deserve our attention.
