The first big Diva related release of the year is here: Shakira and Rihanna's team-up, Can’t Remember To Forget You.
Thankfully, and somewhat surprisingly, the track isn't an EDM club banger- whoopie! Hopefully 2014 will finally put that trend to bed. Instead the song has a ska rhythm to its verses and a rock-ish/indie chorus that's not dissimilar to Shakira's past hit, Don't Bother. The combination of genres certainly gives it a freshness that will help it stand out on the radio. But ultimately I'm just glad to hear Shakira return to her roots after 2009's foray into electro-pop with last (English) album, She Wolf .
Vocally, the Colombian Diva sounds pretty much as she always does; hitting no big notes, or providing no real surprises. That's not a bad thing, as she sounds best when she sticks to her comfort zone. Rihanna, being the vocal chameleon, does lighten her tone for this duet, imbuing the song with a youthful vibrance- similar in sound to 2007's Don't Stop The Music. In choosing to sing this way, a nice contrast is created between the pair, meaning the two voices never become interchangeable or muddied. However, I'm not sure I'd go as far as to say the voices compliment each other in any meaningful way.
Can’t Remember To Forget You hasn't immediately stuck with me after a few listens. As it is, I don't think the song has that spark necessary for it to be a hit on its own merits. The names on the song will help bring it immediate attention, but we all know that it's the video that will really sell this duet to the public. Let's just hope they keep it classy when the time comes to shoot it.
Rating: B-
Thoughts?
C+
ReplyDeleteExcellent review.
ReplyDeleteI won't forget to forget this song, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteD-....
ReplyDeleteNot feeling it. The lyrics are basic, the melody is drab, and there's no real hook. And I think Rihanna outshone Shakira tbh. Her tone fit the song more than Shakira's and she delivered the lyrics with more conviction imo. So props to her.
ReplyDeleteThe title to the song is lame imo.
ReplyDeletei liked it until the chorus hit . a solid B from me.
ReplyDeleteIt's chewing gum...of the kind I wouldn't buy a second time.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, but this song isn't good; It's just so...boring? Nice try Shakira, but this doesn't top Waka Waka at all.
ReplyDeleteMy flatmates are waiting impatienly for the video to be released and fulfill all their nasty fantasies...
ReplyDeleteApparently Gaga and Xtina's Do What U Want collab has paved the way for the return of diva duets this year. Who owns the throne? (this is obvi sarcasm, and if you don't like it, fuck u)
ReplyDeleteSo, after a few listens it has grown on me, I thought it was boring at first, but it's feeling more fresh and groovy the more I listen to it. It's maybe not lead single material, but it'd make a nice buzz track or something. Rihanna's inclusion was good, it wasn't unnecessary but it does add to the song nicely. I'm hoping for a really really good video to hit the hammer on the nail, because the two ladies look stunning in the cover. Here's hoping.
Never been a big fan of her English discography, a few gems here and there, but the real stock is with her Spanish works.
ReplyDeleteJust a few favorites :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i18qg9Y0QJM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmJHH026X0c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlSBl0YUZcc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhoPPnDiY5c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqqLoUcLX5I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsp_8Lm1eSk (Great collaboration, unlike CRTFY)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2iR_ClSuFos
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB7spu82qok
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rj7Z1FYih58
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAXXO-Ox7jQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgCh19FJ1hg
I thought everything Rihanna touched was gold but this isn't even brass
ReplyDeleteI would have preferred this if it was only Rihanna cause i f*ck*ng hate Shakira's phrasing, can't understand what she sings. Anyway the melody is nice, fun, and has Caribbean elements to it.
ReplyDeleteThere's no climax in the song and it feels as if it just teeters along until the end. Nothing too exciting but also nothing too horrible. I will say, however, that I like that Shakira didn't change her sound to fit the whole dance / EDM thing that seems to be popular. Props to her for that.
ReplyDeletewack, plus this 2 chicks can't sing for shit…...
ReplyDeleteHas an early Maroon 5 vibe. Rihanna should have been replaced with Adam Levine and the lyrics gender tweaked accordingly. Then they could have sang to each other and made a super cute video.
ReplyDeleteI won't say anything about Rihanna because I've listened to little of her to say wether she can sing or not, but saying that Shakira can't sing is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteFrom the batch of witches shown, I feel like it will be Zoe.
ReplyDeleteFrom the start they've hinted that below that meek demeanor, Zoe has some serious power. For example, when the girls freak out Zoe by pretending they were going to sacrifice her, and when she cried out causing all the candles in the room to flare up and then extinguish themselves (as well as cause soot and ash to fall from the fireplace). Also, during the zombie invasion she is the one who breaks through Laveau's voodoo, which Marie comments on taking some serious power. Plus Fiona has never suspected Zoe of being the Supreme, she isn't even on her radar.
But, I wouldn't put it past Ryan Murphy to introduce an entirely new character in these last episodes who comes out of nowhere and sweeps up the title of being the next Supreme.
Fuuuuuuuuck that was amazing!
ReplyDeleteI'm really resisting the urge to post the "Bet you'd thought you'd seen the last of me" gif, in response to this.
ReplyDeleteWell, lol, I see. Just get around to it when you get a chance. I'd love to read some of your work, too.
ReplyDeleteBow down. Tone is subjective.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acxZTXlcNMI
Shit song.
ReplyDeleteIt's a lot better in Spanish, without Rihanna, but still falls far off the mark. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FABk202sNnk
ReplyDeleteI still think that the song is actually quite good, but it sure isn't the style that's popular nowadays and so, it won't succeed comercially. And yeah, definetly better in spanish :)
ReplyDeleteLove this song. I think their vocals compliment each other. With that said, with Shakira's husband/boyfriend calling the shots, I'm sure her new CD will suffer.
ReplyDelete