The Singles Jukebox

Not always there when you call…

[Video]
[4.33]

Thomas Inskeep: The UK’s hip-hop and R&B scenes have now produced their own version of a Ja Rule and Ashanti duet. Congratulations? Not3s ain’t nothin’ special, but I do like the tenor of Mabel’s voice quite a bit. 
[5]

Micha Cavaseno: Not3s seems really determined to do his best to be a lesser version of Yung Bxne these days, however he at least one-upped the originator of the style with a duet w/ Mabel (fresh off a single with Bxne’s friend and collaborator Kojo Funds). “My Lover” is tame and sweet, but perhaps a bit too chaste to believe any genuine feelings of love between the featured and main artists, resulting in an easily forgettable sort of breeziness.
[3]

Iain Mew: The remix initially promises a female perspective and a bit of conflict, two novel ideas in the context of the genre’s breakthrough singles to date. It doesn’t really deliver on either though, Mabel’s best vocal efforts still leaving her verse feeling like a weak nod in the face of Not3s’ underpowered promises.
[4]

Katherine St Asaph: The backing’s like a General MIDI recreation of an old Kandi song, which is not unappealing; shame the rest seems equally off-brand.
[5]

Alfred Soto: The electronic wobble to which the vocals are treated creates a mild frisson, but I notice it only because Mabel isn’t given much to do.
[4]

Edward Okulicz: Irrelevant to the quality of the song: damn, ridiculously cute video. Relevant to the quality of the song: how bored Not3s and Mabel both sound. They should have studied some old Jennifer Lopez/Ja Rule songs for how to bring goofy fun to the table.
[5]