7 AM, wakin’ up in the morning…
[Video]
[6.64]
[8]
Callie Petch: Kicking off with not just an extremely obvious barely-altered sample of one of the greatest songs of all time, but also with the opening line of one of the greatest rap songs of all-time, is an act of either incredible confidence or incredible hubris. “A Good Day” had to work its way back from those initial skepticisms, but it does get a lot farther than I thought it would. A trifle of a song that ends right when it builds up some momentum, and the Fatman Scoop ad libs from Mariah Carey’s “It’s Like That” on the chorus is a classic example of overcooking the pudding, but the interplay between .Paak and Cordae is kinda irresistible. It feels like two long-time friends busting each other’s chops for nobody’s enjoyment but their own. Also, hey, increasingly rare Good Dave Meyers Video! Seems he can still make something visually pleasing instead of AI slop!
[7]
David Allun Jones: Though two songs a trend does not make, following French Montana and Max B’s surprisingly electric KC and The Sunshine Band-referencing “Ever Since U Left Me,” hearing this preview of Anderson .Paak and Cordae’s forthcoming collab album does make me wonder if we’re in for a new era of ‘90s Bad Boy-coded rap based around older old-school hits. If that’s the case, I’m slightly here for it, finding amusement in the obvious effort to aspire to appeal-to-all monoculture dominance when most rappers these days seem hyper-focused on only entertaining their entourages. Sure, we need a new spin on Bill Withers’ “Lovely Day” like we need a new streaming subscription, but producer Hollywood Cole updates that familiar, ever-sumptuous groove with some neat new tricks (RIP Fatman Scoop!!) while Cordae and .Paak exude some charming buddy comedy chemistry.
[8]
Nortey Dowuona: Now who else wanna fuck w Hollywood Cole?
[8]
Alfred Soto: I have nothing against Anderson .Paak other than the period between his names and his whisker-whisper vocal tone, but if you’re gonna sample “A Lovely Day,” a Bill Withers song to which I’m not particularly wedded, then go for full desecration, not this lukewarm interpolation.
[4]
Charlotte Gaze: They haven’t changed a bit! They haven’t changed a bit.
[5]
Jel Bugle: A pair of loveable rogues and their antics! The central sample and the comedic video maybe distracted a little, but is that not a homage to the music video era of the late ’90s/early ’00s?
[7]
Will Adams: I was prepared to scoff at the sample (“You went from a “Lovely” day to just a good day? Ha!”), but damn, throw some Fatman Scoop soundbites on top and I’m sold. .Paak and Cordae are a great pair, playfully trading off as they tease about condom sizes, make Cam’ron references, and punctuate each other’s lines with quippy adlibs.
[7]
Al Varela: I can’t believe what a great idea an Anderson .Paak and Cordae collab album is. They’ve always brought out the best in each other, and while they have yet to top the first time they did it, I’ll never complain about hearing more. Groovy beat, Andy effortlessly gliding through the hook and verses, Cordae playing the little brother role and bringing his own charming swagger to the song. And, of course, the song is full of fun, braggadocious bars. “Andy let me hold a condom, [bro] we ain’t the same size (Pause)” got a laugh out of me.
[8]
Scott Mildenhall: Most of the value in this comes from Twista having not met Fatman Scoop. But he at least would have credited him.
[5]
Julian Axelrod: For years it seemed like .Paak wanted to be Bruno Mars and Cordae wanted to be Common, so it’s nice to see they also want to be Big Sean. Glaringly obvious, but when have these guys ever been subtle?
[6]