Gorran Kendall’s ‘If’ Shows a Different Side of The Big Push in Melvin Maya’s Reaction

What Melvin notices first

Melvin Maya opens this reaction with a quick apology for the gap in uploads, but the real focus arrives as soon as he introduces Gorran Kendall’s live performance of “If.” His first takeaway is straightforward: this is a song worth hearing on its own terms. Rather than treating it as a side note to The Big Push, Melvin frames it as a separate performance by a musician whose solo work can stand apart from the group identity fans already know.

That is the central idea running through the video. Melvin is not just reacting to a live song. He is reacting to the way a familiar artist can sound different when the context changes. Kendall’s performance gives him a chance to talk about range, discovery, and the value of following artists beyond the biggest channel or the most obvious entry point.

A solo voice that feels different from The Big Push

One of the clearest things Melvin says during the reaction is that Gorran Kendall’s solo work feels different from what he does with The Big Push. He describes the song as having a more folk-oriented feel, and that distinction matters because it gives the performance its own lane. In a broader catalog tied to Ren, Romaine, Sam, and the rest of the collective, Melvin hears “If” as a change of pace rather than a repetition of the same formula.

He also connects that difference to why the performance is interesting. Group work can create a strong shared identity, but solo material can reveal another side of an artist’s writing and delivery. Melvin seems genuinely drawn to that contrast. He likes that Kendall’s voice fits into a softer, more acoustic-sounding space here, and he treats that as part of the appeal rather than a detour from the main project.

That matters for viewers who may know The Big Push but not Kendall as an individual creator. Melvin’s reaction quietly argues that the audience should not stop at the band name. If one member puts out a performance like this, then there is real value in following the solo uploads too.

The setting does part of the work

Melvin also responds to where the performance was filmed. He notes that it was shot at Preston Rock Gardens and says the setting looks beautiful, even though he admits he does not know the location well. That uncertainty becomes part of the reaction rather than a problem. Instead of pretending expertise, he treats the environment as something viewers might want to identify for him.

The location matters because it shapes the feel of the song. The performance does not look staged in a polished studio environment; it feels like a live outdoor moment that gives the music room to breathe. Melvin picks up on that immediately. His reaction suggests that the setting and the song support each other: the surroundings add texture, while the music makes the space feel intentional rather than decorative.

This is one of those details that turns a reaction video into a useful companion piece. A performance can be enjoyable on sound alone, but Melvin points out how much the visual setting adds to the overall experience. He is watching the performance as a whole, not just listening for lyrics.

A camerawork challenge hiding in plain sight

About a minute into the song, Melvin pauses to notice something practical: Kendall is moving through the space, and the camera operator must be walking backward to keep up. It is a small observation, but it reveals how closely he is watching the performance. He is not only following the lyrics and melody; he is tracking the live staging and the difficulty of capturing it.

That observation also says something about how the performance is presented. The movement gives the song momentum, and the camera has to match it. Melvin recognizes the physical side of the production without turning the moment into a technical breakdown. He simply acknowledges that the filming must have been difficult and leaves it there.

It is a good example of the kind of attention that makes his reactions feel specific. He notices performance choices that many viewers would miss on a first watch, but he keeps the comment grounded and plainspoken.

Why Melvin wants more people to find the solo material

The strongest part of the reaction may be Melvin’s reaction to the reaction itself. As the song goes on, he keeps returning to the same basic point: he likes what he is hearing, and he wishes more people would follow Kendall beyond the main group channel. He says he hopes viewers will move over to the solo page, subscribe, and discover the music there too.

That is not just a promotional gesture. It reflects the way he reads the performance. He hears a song with a clear voice, a distinct mood, and enough identity to justify its own audience. He also sounds surprised that Kendall’s channel has a relatively small subscriber base compared with the broader fame of The Big Push and Ren. Rather than treating that as a mystery to solve, he turns it into an invitation for viewers to explore.

Melvin’s reaction is strongest when it stays close to that idea of discovery. He is not trying to oversell the performance or turn it into a grand statement. He is saying, in effect, that a good song can change where you look next.

What “If” leaves behind

By the end of the video, Melvin’s verdict is simple: he liked the song, liked the lyrics, liked the location, and wants to hear more from Gorran Kendall. That combination tells you what this reaction is really doing. It is not only a response to one live performance. It is a small case for paying attention to the solo branches of a much larger musical world.

For viewers who come in through The Big Push, this reaction gives them a reason to slow down and listen to Kendall on his own. The folk lean, the live setting, and the walking performance all help separate “If” from the band material that made his name familiar in the first place.