Paxton Ingram accomplished the impossible early during his time on the 2016 season of The Voice when he received a standing ovation from all four judges — including the notoriously difficult-to-impress Christina Aguilera — in the battle round. Now the young powerhouse embarks on another tough journey in his transition from reality-show fame to full-fledged pop star. And luckily with a new single as impressive as “Bad Luck,” he should be able to pull this second challenge off just as seamlessly.
Today (Jan. 25), Billboard premieres “Bad Luck,” the latest release from the 21-year-old that highlights his multi-octave vocal approach as the opening lines elicit smooth falsetto and raw tenor over a slick, slinky bassline. The chorus jumps to a blend of pulsating pop, rock and R&B as Ingram gives a robust reminder of the passionate delivery he first showcased back on his Robyn-inspired Voice audition that landed him a mentor in Blake Shelton. Listen to “Bad Luck” first below:
“‘Bad Luck’ is a classic tale of unrequited love — chasing after someone who is completely toxic for you, either mentally or emotionally, but you can’t get enough of it,” the Florida native tells Billboard of the inspiration behind his new track. “It’s like the ultimate high. I definitely drew from personal experiences while writing ‘Bad Luck’ which is why I think the process happened so naturally with two of my great friends Nick Hagelin [a fellow Voice contestant] and J Bach. It was the last song of an eight-hour session and we were all pretty exhausted, but this song was forcing itself out and we created it quicker than anything else from that day — my ideas were flowing.”
With this new single marking his most accessible tune to date — not to mention early co-signs via endorsement deals from Toyota and Nivea Men — Paxton Ingram’s visibility is on the rise and indicates big things for the young star’s 2018. “Bad Luck” is available on all digital platforms on Friday, Jan. 26.