More Rap in More Languages. ™
[Video]
[6.00]
Ian Mathers: 1. I am a sucker for marimbas or anything that even resembles marimbas (real or fake) 2. this is definitely among the most foreboding songs involving marimbas I’ve heard 3. that chorus is simultaneously kind of mournful-sounding and so slinky 4. I don’t speak the language, but if we can extrapolate from Juno’s work here Romanian is nearly as pleasant a language to hear rapped (regardless of comprehension) as French or Italian 5. I love that subtle little clip-clop in the background
[8]
Tim de Reuse: As soon as I hit play on this and heard that tinkly bell line I began to dread a bright, clunky tropical-pop drop that, mercifully, never arrived. Instead we get a surprisingly lush mix and a hook that’s catchy without trying to be all-out foot-stomping anthemic; after a summer full of interchangeable, corny, sun-kissed schlock I’ll gladly take a variant that has the sense to show a little restraint.
[6]
Nortey Dowuona: This feels smooth, twinkly and yet not really energetic, mostly a lot of flat harmonies.
[5]
Crystal Leww: More than happy to sit contently in the groove of that flute-sounding instrument on aimlessly until Juno pops in for the rap verse, and then the whole thing shifts. He injects this with a much needed energy and pops back again at the end. Unfortunately, it’s too little, too late, and by then the audience has been lost to dreamland.
[5]
Ashley John: “Rara” bounces around within the walls it creates for itself. The tropical beats are nothing new, but they create a sense of space and atmosphere in this track that feels cavernous. The feature from Juno disrupts the pace, but Smiley is able to smooth it back out once he takes control again.
[5]
Alfred Soto: Effective use of Art of Noise-indebted synth arabesques over sampled bubble pops. At first Juno’s rap jarred; now it’s the fly in the ointment, keeping things from staying pretty.
[7]