It’s the court-mandated follow-up to “Call Me Guilty”!…
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[6.11]
Frank Kogan: I’ve never totally connected to Jazmine Sullivan, but that’s owing to attributes of hers that actually make her one of the most interesting singers going: she uses a rough power soul voice, while going for the evocativeness that modern r&b singers get out of sketchiness and flightiness. Although the count-to-ten section invites pyrotechnics, she barely raises her voice above an ache. Horns are ready to blast; instead, a keyboard gives us pathos. She’s not yet melded herself into the ultimate fishbird, but the attempt’s got my ear.
[7]
Alex Macpherson: As impressive as she can be in full-bore hollering mode, “10 Seconds” feels a little like Jazmine Sullivan by numbers. Despite the gorgeous arrangement, it’s an underwhelming second single that gives absolutely no indication of either the quality or the imagination she displays on its otherwise superb parent album, Love Me Back. One’s heart sinks slightly whenever she begins her weary trudge all the way up the numbers in the chorus.
[5]
Anthony Easton: Generic, moves too far along the high register, mercilessly short on the melisma.
[4]
Alfred Soto: Too reliant on a grainy higher register, Sullivan doesn’t see the point in singing material that she can’t turn into 1-800-DRAMA. But she contains herself, and if the song is not quite ten seconds, it’s no longer than necessary.
[6]
Martin Skidmore: One of my favourite new singers of recent years, but this isn’t fantastic. She starts it in a high, strained register, telling her boyfriend to fuck off, and kind of stays there. The repetitive counting to ten, giving him that long to go, is extremely uninteresting. It’s okay, and I like it well enough, but I know she can be much better.
[6]
Zach Lyon: The verses are wonderful, filled with dizzy rage while her voice still makes pain her driving emotion. But the emotional balancing in the chorus is even stronger, equal parts triumph and heartbreak — the only part of her outburst she’ll remember the next morning. I doubt I’ll hear a better chorus this year.
[9]
Chuck Eddy: People who believe she’s some paragon of classic-style female neo-R&B owe it to themselves to play this song in the vicinity of Lina’s “My Man,” Denise LaSalle’s “Older Woman,” Pat Cooley’s “Be A Man,” even Mary Mary’s “Walking” — all current or very recent focus tracks that show up the lazy writing and meaningless vocal pyrotechnics of “10 Seconds” for the irritants they are. I mean, I get you’re mad at the jerk, Jazmine, so you’re throwing and breaking “shit” and looking for something to hit him with — good for you. But can you maybe give us one concrete detail about why next time, for Christ’s sake? And no, just saying he “lied” isn’t enough. Tell us about what, maybe. Then start your countdown.
[5]
Al Shipley: After covers and samples on singles by Mary J., Mariah and Cam’ron, Jazmine isn’t introducing Rose Royce’s “I’m Goin’ Down” to modern urban playlists, she’s just giving it a new lease. And at least she’s giving it enough of its own tune and concept to feel somewhat new, but it’s still one of the lesser pleasures of a great album.
[6]
Michaelangelo Matos: Passionate, very well put together, great voice, and I never have any active desire to hear it again.
[7]