SB19’s Josh Cullen’s “No Control”: A Deep Dive into Authenticity and Artistic Reflection

Let’s talk about SB19’s Josh Cullen’s “No Control” music video. He has released many songs this year, but “No Control” is the one gaining significant traction, and for good reason. The music video is well-executed. According to one Reddit user’s reaction, it took him back to the days when he listened to the band Simple Plan. I have the same feeling with this song; it reminded me of Simple Plan. I felt like this entire album is Josh reflecting on his younger days and past struggles while growing up. It demonstrates his journey when he was still working to find his craft and true purpose in life.

Many people can relate to this, especially those stuck in jobs they don’t want but have to do for the money. They struggle, especially in corporate life, where self-expression can be limited. There’s nothing wrong with working in a corporate office — some people enjoy it and take pride in it. However, I’m referring to artists who feel trapped in the wrong job because they can’t pursue their true passion, which is creating art and music.

The music video also references workmates who don’t get along or don’t fit in, which is common in corporate environments where competition often leads to feelings of exclusion. This is because they don’t fit into the conventional job mold and are meant for more. It’s beautiful that Josh Cullen has managed to express this in a thoughtful music video. It looks profound and deep, and I don’t recall any artist in the Philippines who has tackled this kind of emotion and description.

This music video and song highlight Josh Cullen’s writer and thinker side, not to mention its artistic and creative nature. His approach is different from Felip’s, but both express integral emotions effectively. There’s a current trend among artists to focus on authenticity and their genuine stories and struggles. I see a style similar to modern Miley Cyrus, yet Josh Cullen has not lost his essence and remains impactful. SB19’s Josh is more than just his looks — he’s very fashion-forward, but underneath, there’s a lot to discover: deep, realistic, and authentic. Congratulations! To God be the glory! Struggles never end; we just get better at dealing with them.