The Singles Jukebox

Dijon crosses the Atlantic…

[Video][Website]
[5.50]

Micha Cavaseno: DJ Mustard’s newest signing, Ella Mai, is gifted a chance to ride some of the classic Mustard groove within a smooth R&B palette. She’s barbed in all the right places with her lyrics, which makes the placidity of Ty’s rejected lover’s ego a perfect losing role. Not a surprise smash, but a good career starter and compared to some of his roster (DrakeO my dude? Really?) its someone whom we can hope Mustard will get to showcase with time. 
[7]

Thomas Inskeep: This is the first trap’n’b production I’ve liked of DJ Mustard’s in some time, likely because it’s more than just its beat: “She Don’t” is grounded around a sweet, sad-sounding guitar lick that sounds like it was run through some ’70s-era amps at Muscle Shoals. Of course, a track means nothing if its singer can’t sell it, and Mustard’s new signee, Londoner Ella Mai, most definitely can. She’s leaving her man ’cause he cheated and she doesn’t have to put up with his shit, simply enough. Ty plays against type as the man begging his lady not to leave, but he already done fucked up. There’s a grace here which makes this much more than your typical “woman scorned” anthem, a deftness of touch pulling it all together beautifully.
[8]

Edward Okulicz: Ella Mai certainly delivers this kiss-off like she knows she’s better than the other woman, and that’s half the battle. It’d be all of it, but the keys code Smooth Easy Listening Favourite and those are not the best heights to look down from.
[6]

Alfred Soto: She’s a smoker and a midnight toker; best of all, she’s a joker, a type too often missing when R&B men produce songs for women. DJ Mustard fucked up with the somnolent electric piano backdrop though.
[6]

Brad Shoup: Ella writes an answer song to her former partner by way of Jay and Big Sean. Ty delivers his hook courtesy of “Burn.” DJ Mustard is having fun pressing the keys, to the detriment of everything else.
[3]

Jonathan Bradley: I like Mustard doing new things, but someone this savage with a kick drum shouldn’t be wielding a beat this toothless. Ella Mai is more than happy to match his milquetoast approach. “She Don’t” might as well be a mission statement, cause she sure doesn’t.
[3]