HAVANA - PENTATONIX: classical singer's reaction & analysis

[@SirHairless]

• The unfiltered video can be found on my Patreon: www.patreon.com/posts/pentatonix-112180479 • If you'd like to see me react to Pentatonix's very own behind the scenes video kzbin.info/www/bejne/oISomJSVmdSomsU Check out my previous PTX reaction next kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKDLk2Chor2Wipo

[@kayecastleman6353]

I adore the mood of this song! We don't hear sexy Pentatonix very often. I love the rich rhythms, Mitch's smirk as he sings, "I loved him when I left him," Kirstie going full Latina, and Kevin playing brass. Not a complicated arrangement, no real evolution of the song, as noted, but they surely captured the essence of hot Cuban nights and dropped us right into them. Kudos to Matt and Scott for providing the foundations, and Sir H for pulling out the nuances I would otherwise miss.

[@Gwennedd]

Well said! I would call this one more sultry than simply sexy. I think that 's due to Kirstie's 'tude in this piece. Her dress, her styling, her looks at the camera and of course, her singing. Mitch's little sassy grins help too.

[@daleenengelbrecht4861]

I really don't think any one of us will "jump to the time stamp" Your analysis is so interesting and unique even to me that can only play a radio as a musical instrument 😂 I hear and feel so much more through your channel. So interesting! We Pentaholics appreciate you. Greetings from South Africa

[@mattdranchak8]

I never jump, but I always check to see how long I’m going to get to enjoy the breakdown section

[@janeramirez8767]

I think the same thing, every time! Why even watch a Sir Hairless reaction if you're not going to listen to the analysis?

[@lovesmusic0845]

I know I always laugh when he says that because I’m here to listen to what he hears. Things I’ve usually missed.

[@melissacoviello2886]

Exactly, I love the breakdown that most reactors don’t have.

[@SirHairless]

Thank you so much I'm happy you all choose to continue to watch my videos ❤

[@hop775]

In the concert I went to last week Kevin did a small part showing his growth as a beat boxer and it was amazing to hear all on its own.

[@tikilocklin]

"Mitch's voice, as usual, *s h o c k* 😃" edit: alsoooo, I love when you do the little imitations of their singing, your voice is so good!!

[@SirHairless]

[@MSKPELLEGRINO]

Matt is doing some of the beatboxing in this song. Versatility on display

[@derrickstaggers]

The best 2 IMO are The Prayer and Amazing Grace. Both very moving and technically excellent.

[@verinhajor]

I suggest to you to watch "Recording Evergreen" in there you find out a snipet of how they produce this sounds. Great analysis as always, Sir!

[@thechomiji]

I concur. You are the perfect audience and reactor to that short documentary, and I think you would really enjoy it.

[@ShinyElfriend]

I can’t even with this styling! It’s got this desultory, sensual, Havana-ness that is so perfect, visually, with the song - and as usual, PTX leans into the dramatic interpretation physically. I love all your reaction and analysis as always!

[@SirHairless]

[@HH-yo2bs]

Great analysis, as always! I wonder if you have plans to get to The Prayer eventually? :)

[@theresadeuschle8500]

That will be an amazing reaction when he does get there!

[@lovesmusic0845]

@@HH-yo2bs I second this recommendation. It’s has amazing vocals.

[@AnjeannetteMarie-Swifie4Ever]

🙏🙏🙏

[@mjreid30]

Love your analysis every time. I'm never going to skip to the time stamp. Its fascinating to hear your analysis.

[@JohnIzze]

Sir hairless, it’s always great to hear you comments. You are so good!

[@hernameispekka_Rebecca]

I adore this one and you pointed out so many things. My favorite thing that you didn't pick up on (or assumed was multitracked) is when Kevin is doing the trumpet, Matt takes over doing both beat and bass. I think it's a tiny bit multitracked in this version but he does do it live as well (even in performance without extra backing) where he jumps between the roles. Very impressive.

[@SirHairless]

Thanks for clarifying! I was wondering that and I did actually record myself saying that, but I didn't include it in this video. Very impressive indeed

[@karingreen396]

This song is certainly catchy. It lives rent free in my head for days every time I hear it. Thanks for sharing with us

[@ttjoslin]

So Pentatonix to decide, "Hey, let's do the rap in 3 part harmony." And killed it.

[@SirHairless]

Smart decision

[@sonjadrussell]

Another great analysis, thank you. I love when we get treated to Scott's baritone, or even more rarely his bass. And Kevin's flugelhorn! Where did that come from?!? Matt, the foundation, just keeps driving the beat and supporting the wave of the melody. With this one I have to watch Kirstie and Mitch to tell them apart on the "oh na na's"! I just wish it had been at least a minute longer. I love your new term "Pentatonixism" I do believe that will catch on! Can't wait for the next one!

[@yoclark2723]

I loved this one, not just for the great harmonies and Kevin's trumpet but the costuming was spot on for the southern United States. Those coral and teal colors are pure Miami. I prefer this version to Camila's.

[@PtxXtp]

You hearing two Scott's makes sense as Ben Bram, (their arranger/producer) the 6th and behind the scenes member of ptx has said that the trio's voices will get tracked over themselves three times for a fuller sound on studio recordings to be able to compete with groups with instruments for radio play. Unfortunately the radio doesn't play them much except for christmas time. That being said, the part about Kevin being layered because of that different sound, I think its actually Matt making those sounds while Kevin is beatboxing. Although at the end, one of them is definitely layered during the trumpet part. As far as growth in the song, keep in mind that this song and others from the album was the first time they'd arranged music with Matt. He'd been on a 2 Christmas songs with them when they were testing him out, but the songs from this album were Matt's first official songs with ptx.

[@radioactive_baby]

The radio not playing PTX except only during Christmas time is the exact reason why non fans think they only do Christmas

[@thechomiji]

@@radioactive_baby yes. It's a damned shame.

[@mm9374]

I love the way Kevin works in the claves and guiro sounds. It really adds the Cuban feel.

[@jillyf]

Thank you for putting a name to the more unique sounds Kevin put into this one. In my mind, I was calling the guiro sounds "cricket rolls or trills", but it exactly is the guiro sound!

[@kathyastrom1315]

This is one of my favorite PTX covers. I really love how they changed the rap section.

[@monykasaso]

I honestly hated this song before the PTX version. Thank you for your analysis and making me hear things I haven't heard before even after listening a thousand times.

[@bethcoussou]

Loved your analysis of this one. I haven’t really followed PTX in awhile. I followed them for a short time after Avi left. I do remember loving this one and their arrangement of it. I will say, that you, Sir Hairless, have quite a great voice and range. You teased about Mitch hitting that really high note and you sang it as well. I see you! I would love to see some videos of you singing some day. You have quite a very good voice that I would like to hear more. 😊

[@edsartistry]

While it is true some parts may be "multi tracked" , don't forget that not ALL beatboxing or background sounds are done by Kevin alone. There is a lot of other sounds being done by Matt and at some points there are other sounds coming from Scott, Kirstie and Mitch. Everyone of them are always making some sort of noise, weather it be lyrical, tones, harmonies and backgrounds, they are never in "dead space" or not making some sort of sound. I just love their arrangements. They are so Masterful at it.

[@SirHairless]

I agree to the part about not all beatbox sounds being done by Kevin alone, but don't agree that they're all always making some sort of noise I too love their arrangements

[@theresadeuschle8500]

Oh I love this version! Thank you for doing my beloved PTX.

[@SirHairless]

❤

[@slhoog8164]

As always, appreciate your detailed analysis! For fun, look up some of the fan videos of them performing this live in 2019. They had some fun with the choreography on the “I loved him then I left him” line. Scott and Mitch playing into fans’ obsessions with hoping they were in a relationship. I think PWN even put together a 2 minute compilation of several of them from different concerts 😁

[@vidsorama2]

I enjoyed your reaction and analysis to this awesome Pentatonix video. Thank you. I appreciated you appreciation of Matt. I always love listening to him. The whole band is amazing.

[@annmoomau881]

really do enjoy your reactions. Great to listen to, really like your insights and the fact that you are paying attention to the music in detail. Sometimes it seems to me that others are just playing the song, saying "yay, I listened!," asking for my subscription and signing off. Bleh.

[@IkramKahn-ov8fq]

You always amaze me with your analysis.

[@billiemchone6683]

I LOVE THIS SONG!!! They just do it beautifully! ❤

[@danielcarter837]

This song is such a vibe...

[@xerezjg52]

Great analysis as usual! Thank you

[@shelbychesnut99]

Thank you for this reaction. As usual, PTX does not do covers, they do upgrades! Very sultry and sexy.

[@louellamoyer5578]

I absolutely LOVE your analysis! They are so right on, BUT... surprising enough, that you find little nuggets of pure beauty that the average person misses, including me! I don't know how you do it! I'm so glad you do though! Thanks a million for you!

[@andytruax30]

Have you done their new Oh Holy Night? I know it’s not Christmas but…it’s amazing.

[@stephaniem2007]

Or kiss from a rose! Get some real Matt action!

[@theresadeuschle8500]

I'd love for him to do a two-fer of "Oh Holy Night." The Avi 2014 version and the Matt 2023 version. Not to compare Matt and Avi, but to compare growth.

[@SirHairless]

Not yet! Christmas is not too far away though... 🎄

[@Fairplayer43]

Thank you for the review señor!!!❤️😊

[@marablemorgan8292]

Their arrangements are always awesome!!!

[@B3thBakes]

Ooo I'm excited for this!!! ❤ love this one!!! ❤

[@carolasanchez1956]

Maravillosa versión de pentatonix 🥰👏👏👏🇨🇱♥️🇰🇿♥️♥️

[@MCP920]

I really enjoy their arrangement of this song.

[@katjohnson6315]

Love PTX and your reactions to them. You help me”hear” what I never heard before! Thank you again!

[@bindak]

I ❤ the original, and I ❤❤ this version! This is one of my favs - the rhythm and the costuming! The colors make me happy. Would could you think of reviewing Sound of Silence next?

[@pattis2641]

I really enjoy your reactions to the acapella groups, as you always find something new and different that I can listen for while your doing your analyses of these amazing groups. I wish you would do more of them! I do come back and re-listen to my favorites and you are one of them!!!

[@pjb3583]

I don’t know if it’s the quality of your analysis or your audio set-up, but I always hear the individual parts much more clearly with you, so thanks! And pretty much the only thing I know about beatboxing is that sounds come on both the inhale and exhale, if that’s helpful? You are totally forgiven for the minor beatboxing attempt, lol. As always, loved it! Peace …

[@LinMonash]

PTX are always Masterclass Artists in Harmonies and Arrangements. In Awe.

[@michellejones4911]

Your voice is so amazing! I’m still waiting for your music video!!! Blessings from your ladies barbershop singer In Louisiana!

[@ritapirazzini8591]

I was eager to listen to your reaction to this song. Great!

[@susanpeterson9947]

Thanks so much for coming back around to PTX today, I needed that. I’ve always loved their arrangement of this one, and now I better understand why, as I always do after listening to your analyses.

[@carey9019]

Thanks for another great reaction! I'll put in my requests as I usually do :) Sound of Silence, Problem and Attention! Also I don't think you've done Can't Hold Us yet?!?!

[@lovesmusic0845]

@@carey9019 All of the above recommendations. I love Cant Hold Us. It’s too much fun.

[@terrycupp6687]

Really enjoyed the smooth, syncopated delivery of the performance (yes, a song can be both smooth and syncopated simultaneously), I’m glad you pointed out how subtle the build-up was given Pentatonix typically have rather dramatic dynamic changes. Mitch is just so accurate on the higher interval phrases, they are right in his “sweet spot” and sounded so easy and pure. I didn’t listen to this song for quite some time but am now glad I’ve heard it along with your analyzation, it was the perfect first experience for something I wasn’t sure I was going to like.❤

[@marablemorgan8292]

One of my favorite upgrades!!!

[@carriekovach797]

This version is such a vibe 😎

[@lovesmusic0845]

They definitely multi-track on their studio recordings. They’ve talked about stacking and Ben Bram, their arranger, talks about how they “layer” vocals on their records. What’s amazing is truly how good they sound live without it. If you ever get around to watching their Recording of Evergreen BTS short film, you’ll how they record the percussion and then mix it for the recordings. KO has also said they sample a little on their studio recordings too. He then has to figure out how to translate that into something he can do live. If you ever watch any of their Hollywood Bowl 2022 live recordings, you’ll see how he does that. Daft Punk and Bohemian Rhapsody’s live versions have slightly different percussion than the recordings. Subtle but there is a difference. This was one of their first recordings with Matt. Perfect and Attention are two other videos they did around this time. One of my favorites, which I don’t think you’ve done, is Amazing Grace. They all sing in that one. So powerful. They’ve also just put out an updated live version of their classic Hallelujah. So many videos, so little time. 🤪 This a relatively short song but I love the complexities of it. Matt’s bass I’ve found is slightly more subtle than Avi’s but it really has a rich smooth sound that I’ve leaned to hear more and more over the years. Someone put out a Tik Tok complication where PTX sings snippets of their songs. For several of them they are together singing in stairwells. Because of how they are positioned on the stair steps, and Matt is usually in front, I can hear him so clearly. It’s helped me pick out his voice on their other videos too. Great reaction! I was so glad to see you do Havana. It’s a fun arrangement. I’m going to see them in December. It’s their Christmas tour but I know it will be spectacular.

[@SirHairless]

Amazing - you have a December to look forward to 🎄

[@stephaniebray3983]

Can’t unsee

[@smithpauld1501]

Thanks again.

[@bonniebrewer434]

I'm glad to see Pentatonix releasing some of their former pieces with Matt.

[@lovesmusic0845]

They’ve been on their KZbin channel for years. You just have to go to their home page, select Videos and scroll down. They are all there.

[@tammyree6200]

Really want to see your take on the Recording of Evergreen. There is some amazing percussion multitracking. You'll really like picking this apart! 🩷

[@AnjeannetteMarie-Swifie4Ever]

Love ur analysis Sir Hairless. This one is so fun 🤘

[@alanlundberg4534]

I'm looking at your PTX playlist, I've noticed a couple missing that i believe you find intriguing. They are both mashups that I believe are just brilliant. The first is New Rules x Are You That Somebody? The second is La La Latch

[@SirHairless]

I’ve done La La Latch 😊 The other one is on my list for a future reaction

[@thatsroughbuddy-]

Sir Hairless, as always your reaction was so so great! I always hope to see another PTX reaction from you when I open KZbin. I also have some suggestions for you that I'm very sure you will enjoy! :) These are more complex arrangements that PTX has done. - 12 Days of Christmas (probably their most complex arrangement, and they even do this live 🤯) - Making Christmas (perfect for Halloween coming up) - Silent Night feat. The King Singers - You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch (Matt shines in this but the arrangement is a lot of fun as well) - The Recording of Evergreen (behind the scenes of their Christmas album Evergreen, highly recommend watching)

[@SirHairless]

Thanks for the recommendations 🧟🎅🏽

[@terrimcclain6625]

I love your reactions and the way you break them down. Pentatonix is my favorite group. Would love to see you break down my two favorites, The Prayer and O Holy Night.

[@johnmetcalf8500]

Thanks for such a great reaction. I always learn (or I'm made aware) of so much that I didn't really get before. I love how you are able to point out the specifics of the things that make the songs great. I also think Kevin is amazing. I'm sure you get inundated with suggestions, but their live version of "Kiss from a Rose" by Seal is another that really shows off some of Kevin's skill set.

[@carmengibson]

One of my favs. ❤

[@judithL3100]

Aside from the arrangement (an improvement on the original IMO), I love how they captured the essence, the atmosphere of the song.

[@SirHairless]

Definitely How many artistic decisions went into the production as a whole!

[@loveloochay]

🎼🔥🕺💃🕺💃🕺💃🕺💃🕺💃🕺 ... groovy groovy groovy .........

[@simsweechuah9753]

A cool reaction to a cool video! Thanks, love your analysis. Cannot wait for you too O Holy Night

[@mogz9227]

So excited for more Pentatonix Christmas reactions! I think September is a reasonable time to start. 😉😅 I hope your reaction to Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy comes back - it got blocked before I can watch it.

[@SirHairless]

I'm still holding onto the summer 😅 So a bit early for me! The blocking is a pain, but that's the world of copyright for you You can find my Sugar Plum reaction on my Patreon As well as many of the other blocked / filtered videos

[@betsyvondracek6039]

Thumbs up!

[@cliffcolter9161]

I wonder if the Trio section isn't a nod to the "Andrews Sisters". After the war and before the communist up-rising, Cuba was the it place to be and the Andrews Sisters performed in one of the largest clubs on many engagements as headliners with the backing of a Cuban Big Band. This sound became so famous that it became a nightclub scene in an old black and white film.

[@BethVargas-uw6qq]

Hmm..it is some thought

[@juliewade1393]

This is so good! Very entertaining

[@B3thBakes]

Oo I feel like you are going to enjoy this one!

[@dwfarr]

Recommend their video of My Favorite Things.

[@andreagradilone934]

Ahhwww come oooon, Sir (adorable) Hairless pretty please, do Kiss From a Rose on the Grave. Just have to say, I am totally infatuated with your reactions.

[@CabinFever52]

Oooh, they brought you to one of my favorites of theirs! Still can't find a reaction from you for their Come Along, Can't Hold Us, or Aha!

[@lovesmusic0845]

He did Come Along about three months ago.

[@CabinFever52]

@@lovesmusic0845 thx. I didn't find it. Will look again.

[@SirHairless]

@@CabinFever52 You can find all my PTX reactions in my Pentatonix playlist, or also in my acapella playlist. Or just by searching for specific songs on my channel Here is Come Along: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHLTmGd4i7Omr7s

[@CabinFever52]

@@SirHairless 🥰

[@RussellJones-e9c]

I think you've got a great voice yourself, Sir - do you sing?

[@SirHairless]

Cheers! I certainly used to a lot, but not so much any more

[@angelaroehrich5431]

This song sounds to me like it has Spanish influences to me. What an interesting take to Beethoven. Nicely done!

[@anna9072]

I wouldn’t guarantee that Kevin isn’t doing that swooshing at the same time as the rest of his percussion. In “Problem” he’s vocalizing “one less problem without you” at the same time as he’s producing the percussion. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was swooshing and beat-boxing at the same time.

[@janices5389]

Agreed! His rhythms can get really complex. I love watching him in their Daft Punk official video. Just incredible. And his mix of vocal and percussion in Problems was indeed next level! I don't have Sir Hairless' incredible ear and often watch their videos over and over, focusing in on one single person to try and hear everything that's going on - then my mind can put it all together and explode. 🤣

[@SirHairless]

Of course! I just think it's important to consider what's actually possible, and in videos/studio recordings anything (literally) can be achieved I'm not a beatboxer so that's why I remain in the realm of the unknown when it comes to Kevin's wizardry 🧙‍♂ But when (for example) Scott's line is being sung twice, that's impossible unless multi-tracked. I still receive some aggressive comments saying things like "no it's all 1-part and live" etc etc., so I just like to always have my "reality-hat" on, to not think like that🧢

[@lindaferguson2640]

This reminds me of the Andrew Sisters out of the 30's and 40's.

[@Ida-Christine]

Oh, I forgot the biggest Mitch slap of them all: AHA live from Singapore.

[@alicemagaha3780]

Please react to Popspring 2016 concert. It is longer and has the evolution of Michael Jackson which you have reacted to. The remaining songs are fantastic Kirstie's song, Water, is out of this world!!!!

[@Ida-Christine]

You simply have to react to Mitch's Your Power. It'll floor you. And Light In the Hallway by ptx

[@InkWellideas]

Fun to watch you try to imitate Kevin's effects - keep practicing, would be a challenge we could appreciate :)

[@SirHairless]

😅 I think I'll stick to dedicating my free time to Sir Hairless; clearly I'm not made for beatboxing

[@Alexsam9506]

❤❤

[@SarahJohnson-u1e]

Reanna Loop

[@marablemorgan8292]

⚡⚡⚡⚡❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣⚡⚡⚡⚡

[@Kateresa42]

This was fun, but just FYI, it looks like Shallow actually won your last PTX poll. I guess you’ll just have to do two PTX reactions this week?

[@lovesmusic0845]

I hope if Sir does Shallow, he does the Hollywood Bowl 2022 live version. It’s my favorite.

[@SirHairless]

My poll results include Patreon too I link the poll results with every poll I do, so you can see the results across KZbin and Patreon (and combined). Make sure to check it out 😊 You can find it in all of my poll posts. The % allocation was roughly this: Havana - 48% Shallow - 30% Be My Eyes - 17% Gangnam Style - 4%

[@marablemorgan8292]

Kevin's trumpet...

[@SirHairless]

🎺🎺🎺

[@kalnfornia]

The pitch correction is obvious

[@B3thBakes]

0:26 ❤❤