Maroon 5 collaborates with Wiz Khalifa

Over the past 10 years that Maroon 5 has existed, one thing hasn’t changed. They are still dedicated to writing about love and losing it.

“Payphone,” the band’s first single from its upcoming album, Overexposed, was released on Monday.

It begins with Adam Levine’s distinct voice and flows into a groove with a laid-back drumbeat. The piano is very subtle in the background, allowing the backbeat to drive the song as Levine sings a story about a relationship that fell apart.

Consistent beats and synthesizer is becoming a lot more evident in Maroon 5’s music.

In 2002 when the band’s first album, Songs by Jane, came out, its music was very organic. More recently, with songs like “Moves Like Jagger” and Levine’s appearance on Gym Class Heroes’ “Stereo Hearts,” the touches of soul from earlier albums is missing.

Although Maroon 5 had plenty of radio play in the past, its music seems to have more pop and mainstream influences, leading them to radio domination.

The band’s more frequent collaborations with pop artists and rappers have a lot to contribute to this.

Wiz Khalifa is able to expose an entirely different audience to Maroon 5’s music. Out of the blue, he makes a quick appearance in “Payphone,” assumingly ranting away about his last failed relationship.

None of those changes have hindered the band from creating catchy and solid hits. Although most of today’s generation has probably never used a payphone, many people will be able to relate to the new single with its well-crafted lyrics.

While the band’s sound is a little different, so are its band members.

The band’s keyboardist Jesse Carmichael recently went on hiatus from the band, but PJ Morton has been filling in for him.

The new album, Overexposed, is set to be released on June 26 of this year.