Wilber “Will” Pan’s latest album Play It Cool contains no surprises for his diehard fans. Even though this is his 7th album since Gecko Stroll in 2002, Will’s style remains adamantly constant throughout the years. There’s the standard medley of American influenced R&B numbers and love ballads.. It isn’t such a bad thing that Will has been singing within his comfort zone because the fans are still lapping it up. After all, that’s what they love him for!

However, you’ll definitely be impressed with the latest line up has to offer whether you’ve been his ardent fan or otherwise. Will generally has catchy tunes, and with, the songs are brought to a new infectious level. Although he has been swimming in familiar territory, it is nice to note that his vocals have made improvements and are more emotive.

Through the album title and a song shares the same name, Will encourages everyone to live the way that they want to, without restrictions. Only by doing so, people can develop their own attitude and become the urban dictionary’s definition of “cool”.

From lyrics like, “The rules are in my own hands and Life is a game. I’m weaving through the different levels of Life the way I want to” and the trademark American R&B style fans have come to associate Will with, rebels without a cause would relish in his angst.

Towards the song’s end, Will’s rapping, however, leaves much to be desired and still has major room for improvements. It isn’t bad per se, but neither was it as impressive as the previous stanzas.

If you have a taste for soppy love ballads, “Say You Love Me” gives a moving delivery about a man lamenting the loss of his ex-girlfriend. The song takes you through his memories when he opens a letter from the ex. Depicting his helplessness in trying to get her back, it is a refreshing twist from the other pulsating numbers.

While most of Will’s songs in the album seem custom made for him, other tunes like “Daydream” and “Glory” betray his vocal flaws and accentuate them as his change of pitch is strikingly conspicuous.