Bebe Rexha ft. Nicki Minaj – No Broken Hearts
but what about the broken hearts of critics?
[Video][Website]
[3.50]
Cédric Le Merrer: There’s a lot not to like in this attempt at a “We Can’t Stop”-ish club anthem. The chorus being sad instead of cathartic is one. Bebe Rexha being an unsufferable Harley Quinn wannabe is another. But I there’s some melodic cleverness in the verses and it skips around the staccato beat in really pleasant ways.
[5]
Juana Giaimo: When reading Bebe Rexha’s Genius annotations, you find quite a lot of details about the recording of the song as well as her club routine. In the same way, “No Broken Hearts” seems more suitable for an inner joke in a group of friends than a song to be released worldwide.
[4]
Alfred Soto: From Minaj’s rap and the undistinguished backing to the title lie, this is a rank offense.
[3]
Cassy Gress: Bebe’s voice is thoroughly obnoxious here: nasal, overly Autotuned, wandering from note to note with a touch of Britney-style vocal fry. Nicki’s verse, while not her best work (“anybody hatin’ need a pee pee”? really?), is the only interesting part. Bebe sounds like she’s already been partying for several hours and is too drunk to give a fuck about broken hearts anymore.
[2]
Will Adams: My gut reaction is to root for Bebe Rexha, since for the past year she’s been relegated to playing hook singer for songs that range from mediocre to terrible, and in one case being erased from what would’ve been her biggest hit. My gut reaction is to root for someone who has ostensible songwriting chops and the potential for strong solo singles, which so far have only made a pinprick of an impact. But “No Broken Hearts” doesn’t help. It’s too cynical, from the inclusion of autopilot Nicki Minaj to the live-like-it’s-your-last ethic to the music, which is like “Love In This Club” chopped and screwed to fit our current trap-pop template. For all its major key professions of a Good Time™, it sure sounds quite sad.
[3]
Brad Shoup: Imagine a “Club Can’t Handle Me” that’s even less believable. But it’s got Nicki!
[4]
Is this Nicki Minaj’s worst verse ever? I really can’t think of another “clock in clock out” verse by her.
TBH most of her verses outside of the last album on other people’s records or the remixes were really lackluster for her imho. I’m moderately glad she’s trying to delve further into acting and additional projects because I think she’s hit a point of burn-out.