Having tested the limits of good taste with her Julie Andrews inspired yodel gymnastics on top three hit ‘Wind it Up’, the actress, fashion icon, mother of one and shape shifting pop star Gwen Stefani unleashes her new single ‘The Sweet Escape’ on the unsuspecting public on 26th February through Polydor Records.
‘The Sweet Escape’ is taken from her terribly underwhelming solo album of the name same, which includes collaborations with Linda Perry, Keane’s Tim Rice Oxley and Pharrell Williams.
As well as featuring Akon on vocals, the track was also produced by the Senegalese rapper.
“I thought he might just want to do some generic hip hop but he came up with this fresh, super fun song,” says Stefani.
They say:
Entertainment World: “Mesmerizing and pure bliss to the ears.”
About: “The new song is breezy and light which goes far to explain pop radio’s eagerness to embrace it.”
We say:
If only the rest of The Sweet Escape album boasted a similar level of melodicism as the title track, then it would truly be a force to be reckoned with.
The song sounds like Stefani has been launched way beyond the clouds, her neon lit pop shuttle effortlessly negotiating the lush blasts of electro pimp doo wop.
And our blonde heroine lays the charm on thick, licking her disgruntled fella’s wounds with promises of better times to come should he decide to forgive and forget (“If I could be sweet/I know I’ve been a real bad girl /I didn’t mean for you to get hurt/Forever, we can make it better/Tell me boy, now wouldn’t that be sweet?”).
Her co pilot Akon, meanwhile, revels in the side effects of pod fever, his delirious “Woo hoo! Yee hoo!” sharing the same headspace as those straight jacket escapees Gnarls Barkley.
Truth be told, it has about as much substance as candy floss, but deliciously so. I guess you can chalk this up as another guilty pleasure.
Like this? Try these:
Gnarls Barkley – Smiley Faces
No Doubt – Hey Baby
RELEASED
Out now
LABEL
Polydor
POSTED...
Fri 23 Feb 2007 at 8:49am
