The Singles Jukebox

Pop, to two decimal places.

Wale ft. Jeremih – On Chill

And yet we’ve warmed up a little to this combination…


[Video]
[4.50]

Natasha Genet Avery: Chill to the point of being completely forgettable. 
[4]

Alfred Soto: Here’s an example of good intentions and doggedness resulting in a decent single in which Jeremih’s warmth and Wale’s agility get an attractive setting. It’s also an example of the limits of good intentions and doggedness. 
[5]

Oliver Maier: Wale is right that there’s a compelling contrast between Jeremih’s light, scratchy register and his own beefier tone, though both artists bring a looseness of performance that befits a song like this. It’s just a shame that “like this” means “kind of half-assed.” Jeremih’s hook sounds more phoned-in than sensual and Wale’s verses are stuffed with charmless come-ons and empty inspirational mantras (“Modify your energy so your bank and your skin glow”). Am I listening to a sex jam or a pep talk?
[3]

Ian Mathers: Boy, could I ever take or leave Wale’s verses (preferably leave, to be honest), but Jeremih sells the hell out of that horseshit in the chorus; every time he pipes up, the track feels about 300 percent smoother.
[5]

Tobi Tella: Aims for sleeek and on chill, ends up formulaic, listless, and on Ambien.
[3]

Nortey Dowuona: A lopsided piano crunch bobbles awkwardly over ear-popping, shivering percussion and dribbling bass drums as Jeremih hisses and slithers all over the track and around Wale.
[6]

Jacob Sujin Kuppermann: Jeremih’s hook and the Raphael Saadiq sample point to smooth, hyper-professional loverman shtick, but Wale’s inability to be smooth for even a goddamn second actually work to his benefit. His angular mid-2000s everyman style rescues “On Chill” for anonymity, giving it the feeling of an actually lived-in relationship. It’s still not terribly exciting (which seems to be the point), but it’s lively enough to warrant another spin.
[6]

Wayne Weizhen Zhang: Only the ultimate, wishy-washy soft-boy would think “Maybe we can be on chill tonight/Maybe I can give you chills” could be a successful pick-up line. 
[4]

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