The Singles Jukebox

In which we remember the times…

[Video][Website]
[4.57]

Thomas Inskeep: Well, that’s certainly a way to make me sit up and take notice, interpolating not one but two Michael Jackson songs, both “You Rock My World” and “Remember the Time,” in a single 2:59 record. On top of that, what ABWDH does with “Remember” is a vocal interpolation-cum-interpretation of one of of MJ’s classic vocal vamps! His voice is kinda thin and reedy, so anything he can do to detract from that is wise. The track itself is on the minimalist side. But what Hoodie does with those MJ tracks keeps pulling me back.
[6]

Edward Okulicz: Takes an indelible MJ classic and an also-ran that I’d bet most radio listeners couldn’t recall the melody of and does a pretty great job at making something new out of them. The bleeps in the verses have a sad quality to them, and the Mustard-esque bass gives it a nice low end to bop to. So it’s a jumble of sources and moods and I like all of them while not having a clue whether A Boogie really has the charisma to pull something this audacious enough, or if it’s such a bravado bit of thievery that he doesn’t need to.
[8]

Alfred Soto: “Hoodie low but I stay focused,” the new star avers over two Michael Jackson interpolations, including scat. I suppose we’ve entered the phase of Soundcloud rap in which an intimation of a trap beat and the gumption to imitate one’s forebears is enough to cohere into a single. 
[5]

Ryo Miyauchi: There’s subtraction, and then there’s simply being unfinished. The gritty reboot of a post-Mustard beat tries to inject some menace into A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie’s lifestyle as a wanted man, but it feels way too grey and vacant to express anything. The production’s rote momentum also does no favors to remedy the song’s lack of structure. I just want to drag the first verse to the top, add a kick drum to cue its start, or a dozen of other things to help this thing get off the ground.
[4]

Joshua Minsoo Kim: Not sure how much A Boogie matters here; “Look Back At It” gets by on Jahaan Sweet’s fog-shrouded production and the “Remember the Time” interpolation. Even A Boogie seems to understand how much the tongue rolls and “da da da”‘s carry this given that their vibrant staccatos are a complete contrast to the listless performance he gives elsewhere.
[3]

Will Rivitz: This would have been a boring Mustard beat even when Mustard beats were interesting.
[4]

Katherine St Asaph: Makes one long for the relative gentlemanliness, vocal suaveness, and respect for Michael Jackson samples of Fucking Drake.
[2]