Ostriches weren’t meant to fly-y-y-y, hands up and touch the sky…
[Video]
[4.17]
Tobi Tella: Uh, at least it’s short?
[2]
David Sheffieck: I’m not sure who to thank for the trend of sub-3 minute songs (does it really just have to be Spotify?), but it’s helped win me over on more than a few new artists: algorithm-gaming quality control is still quality control, at least in some sense. Then again, there’s only so much I can handle of a song based largely on a mess of cartoon voices, a boast about hanging out with XXXTentacion, and at least one slur. The beat could use some more time — it’d grown on me by my second listen; Ski Mask didn’t even need this much of it.
[2]
Joshua Minsoo Kim: It’s not too often that we hear Ski Mask employ such cartoonish voices and have beats that follow suit, so “Faucet Failure” stands out for the firmness and completeness of its vision. The cowbell dembow beat is more thrilling as an idea than as actual music, but the references to children’s stories at least keep the spirit of the song alive. What does it mean, though, when Ski Mask does everything right but a two minute song still sounds like it’s lacking something?
[5]
Ryo Miyauchi: CuBeatz and Chasethemoney’s beat already sets up a slightly off feel, but Ski Mark’s obnoxious voice really makes “Faucet Failure” into a delirious experience. That cartoon-ish delivery excuses a lot of lines, starting from the reverse-engineered titular joke. And it serves as a fine pop hook, especially as he drops in ad libs, for a shallow song based mainly off of cheap laughs and expensive buys.
[6]
Iris Xie: One of my favorite sounds in hip hop songs is when rappers drag out their syllables, which gives the sensation of chewy caramel being stretched out with a silly but self-aware attitude. (I think about Missy Elliott.) I was so influenced by this once that I replied to my mom who asked me if I wanted ice, by unconsciously stretching out the vowel in 冰 ( bīng ) ; my brother and sister-in-law completely burst into laughter once they heard that. There are scores of that breezy attitude here, and while there’s a cringe-worthy “gyp” reference (please retire that slur), there’s plenty of rubbery jovial attitudes to go around, lined by a stop-and-start beat that keeps pace with the level of humor and spitfire pop culture references. It seems to end a little early and prematurely, but it’s fun while it lasted.
[6]
Edward Okulicz: I feel very frustrated about this song, because I really like the beat while wishing more was done with it. I appreciate the gusto and confidence demonstrated by the silly voices which are accentuating the rhymes, while also finding some of those voices a bit obnoxious. And some of these words are dopey in a bad way. And I appreciate the brevity, but I’ve got to say it felt about twice as long as it is.
[4]