Reggaeton act makes his Jukebox debut…
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[6.00]
Josh Langhoff: As with most reggaeton stomps, the bits that stick are the timbres. Someday, this song’s plinky synth skank and gigantic drum hits will remind sunset lovers of a summer spent splashing naked in the ocean, farting with abandon. Meanwhile I’ll still be worrying over the umpteenth iteration of this chord progression.
[5]
Iain Mew: The plinks across the track are like gentle breeze as their beach party eases into the evening and everyone lays back and chills. A nice way to wave goodbye to summer.
[7]
Jonathan Bogart: A perfect end-of-summer jam, with enough chest-thumping bravado to keep it from being too soggily wistful, and enough tenderness to keep it from being an ode to three-way machismo.
[8]
Alfred Soto: Farruko’s vocal is as charming as the reggae preset, so let him sing without the help. Free Farruko!
[5]
Juana Giaimo: Instead of finding a memorable chorus for his tender vocals professing his sensual love at sunset, Farruko counted on two collaborators who awfully contrast with the light spirit of this song.
[4]
Katherine St Asaph: Someday Shaggy will be on a track that doesn’t sound like it was made from pick-up sticks, but nostalgia and summerthings both go a long way.
[6]
David Sheffieck: Feather-light but welcomingly so, to the extent it’s close to irresistible, and a solid if lesser example of Shaggy’s continued relevance and/or cynical opportunism. The heavily-processed wave effect that opens the song is probably a good test of whether you’ll like it or not: blatant yet evocative, it’s an encapsulation of the track as a whole.
[6]
Thomas Inskeep: This reggaeton track leans more to the reggae side of the equation, with Farruko singing sweetly and Shaggy and Nicky Jam providing the rap breaks in English and Spanish, respectively. And Shaggy is great as a hype/hook-man, i.e. in a supporting role. “Sunset” is the “island”-sounding song that should’ve been an international summer smash this year, instead of “Cheerleader.” The groove is perfectly beachy, and actually has some texture.
[7]