While This Is What the Truth Feels Like remains a collectively strong, vastly underappreciated outing ("Asking 4 It" excluded), Gwen Stefani appears unfazed of the past as she sets course for an apparent fourth album sometime this year.
Following Christmas-themed releases, a few duets with partner Blake Shelton, and an unexpected guest appearance on a "Physical" remix with Dua Lipa, the Hollaback Girl ventured back to her ska roots for "Let Me Reintroduce Myself" at the end of 2020.
For 2021, Stefani continues down the same sonic path on "Slow Clap", a defiant and reflective retelling of recent history and future trajectory. In detailing career and personal ups and downs, the artist references everything from the story of David and Goliath, ice cream, diets, and Billy the Kid in the shockingly short yet sharp new single.
"Slow Clap", produced by Luke Niccoli, is another dose of nostalgia as Stefani leaves the overly pop world behind to surround herself in reggae comfort. The artist reassures herself of champion-like qualities, being a female music innovator, and surviving a business that often chews artists up, only to never spit them back out for a second chance.
"I don't wanna go to the back of the line, no, no, I put in my time, from the garage to the penthouse girls, underdog to the top of the world," she factual declares on the effort's bridge.
With a fun and sassy vocal delivery at the forefront, one of the track's brightest qualities, Stefani is determined to carve out a path that aligns with personal desires. After a six-year solo hiatus to link up with No Doubt once more and beginning with the stellar "Baby Don't Lie", the artist has attempted to bridge her pop and reggae interests to mixed results.
With the new "Slow Clap" though, it's clear she is inching toward the perfect formula. The aforementioned vocal delivery is reminiscent of the Love. Angel. Music. Baby. era chants, while the supporting production paints an edgy and fearless persona that dominated many 90s music conversations.
Overall, though it might require more than one listen, Stefani has gifted the world with another infectious earworm that comes off organic and confident. What's to not like?
0 Yorumlar