The Singles Jukebox

We like some Danish artists. Remember Medina? We liked Medina! (weeps)

[Video][Website]
[4.86]

Alfred Soto: On this Danish rapper’s #1 the guitar plucking makes a difference but not so it would make a difference.
[4]

Iain Mew: Danish #1 between a big “Love Yourself” run and yet another track with Lukas Graham on, which puts its limitations in some perspective. He’s capable enough, anyway, and the guitar figures are so pretty that it’s only the “la la la la la la” drowning them out that stops them carrying it all the way.
[5]

Katherine St Asaph: Over a distracting simulation of the “Layla” riff, Gilli evokes a Future with the wit, affect and future sapped away.
[4]

Jonathan Bogart: Like Eminem, Gilli is a white kid from a majority-minority neighborhood, so it’s not surprising that his watered-down fusion of vaguely Middle Eastern tonalities — harp plucks, triplet beats, minor keys — and sullen Western hip-hop is more popular with the broader European audience than the music being made by his immigrant peers.
[6]

Cassy Gress: On first listen, I was very frustrated with this song for how subdued the clapping and military-ish snare is.  But then I found a decent translation and realized how bleak this song is lyrically, about the solitude and determination required to make a living on the corner day after day.  I’m not sure that more bombastic percussion would have really made sense, now.
[6]

Thomas Inskeep: Thanks to Gilli, I’ve now learned that “fuck” in Danish is “fuck.” And that cranky “fuck the haters” sentiment extends to rappers worldwide. The production is nice once it gets going, though (in the chorus).
[4]

Brad Shoup: Someday I’ll give what’s due to a Scandinavian dude getting downcast over an almost-memorable guitar figure. Not today, though.
[5]