Round here, we call them “Mondays”…
[Video]
[5.33]
Thomas Inskeep: Pretty minimal, almost chillwave track from Beck (and co-writer co-producer Pharrell) on which I wish Beck’s vocals weren’t so processed. I appreciate its low-key-ness, though; this understates.
[6]
Kylo Nocom: Beck’s nasal vocals are decidedly not appropriate for Architecture in Helsinki circa 2011 cuts filtered through 2019 trap. My generosity comes with how the appropriation of triplets and ad-libs feels more like an awkward enlightened dad’s pandering to the kids these days rather than just distilled cynical mush.
[5]
Isabel Cole: If I were to be very generous I might say something about how the repetition in the lyrics, made to sound even more monotonous through the slight uneventful/neverending assonance, brings home the dullness of a life suddenly missing its biggest spark, suggested by the spacious prettiness tinkling behind the droning vocals. But I am not a very generous person and this is not an interesting song.
[4]
Alfred Soto: Such a nice boy — he’s too good to sample these days, so in search of a “real musician” collaborator he goes to Pharrell, who might’ve brought the beats in the Obama era but rests on a trap something or other that Young Thug might’ve coughed on in five seconds. There’s the tragedy: imagine a Beck-produced Thug record. Better than this sincere midtempo smudge.
[4]
Julian Axelrod: If I heard this blind, I’d probably write something about its engaging but conservative take on synth pop, the proudly stagnant circular melodies, the interesting shades of resignation in the singer’s voice. But of all the artists I could have compared it to, Beck probably wouldn’t have come up. Beck’s music has never sounded the same, even as it always sounds like Beck. So is he trying to situate himself within the remaining shreds of the rock scene? Or has everyone else finally caught up with him?
[6]
Kayla Beardslee: Reserved, like a day that was nothing more than “fine” (truly, my introvert self feels represented by this song), yet with a little bounce to its beat, like the plans you dream of making but would never want to commit to.
[7]