Pop Is Not The Enemy: Track of the Week #2

It's only the bloody track of the week!

This week for 'Track of the Week' we travel to sunnier climbs. To be more specific the pure and virginal surroundings of Las Vegas, Nevada, for that is the place that gave us Shamir.

Shamir first came onto pop's radar in June last year when he released his debut EP Northtown, named after the suburb of Las Vegas he grew up in. He arrived in a buzzing haze of disco-inflected dance on the infectious 'Sometimes a Man', playing up to the androgyny of his blistering countertenor voice he delivered effortless cool and flawless pop hooks. Other tracks of note on the EP include 'If it Wasn't True', a break-up song built around a dreamy piano house riff before buzzy synths crash in mid-way, and the more plaintive 'I Know it's a Good Thing' which has a driving, slightly 'Rolling in the Deep'-like piano.

Later in 2014 Shamir secured a major record deal and signed with XL Recordings and this was where he really started to make waves. He got mainstream attention with the release of the pop monster single 'On the Regular'

Starting with possible the catchiest cowbell ever heard this is 3 minutes of perfect pop, irresistible synths,wickedly cutting lyrics and a charismatic delivery from the man himself. It was becoming more and more obvious that Shamir was one to watch.

So that brings us to our 'Track of the Week', In March 2015 Shamir released his next single, 'Call it Off'. Sounding more polished and catchy than ever the song is constructed around an erratic bassline with flourishes of cowbell it lodges itself in your brain and sets up camp there from the first listen, and that's before you even get to the the simple yet effective Sylvester-like chorus complete with Chic-style backing vocals. The sassy rap breakdown shows Shamir protecting you from making a mistake with the skank that has caught your eye:

"Just can't make a thot a wife,

No more basic, ratchet guys.

Listen up, I'm saving you,

From all the hell that you'll go through."

The video is a mindfuck of the best kind, Sesame Street takes over Dorothy Perkins to a shiny pop soundtrack. Ladies, gents and anyone else who is still reading, I give you 'Track of the Week'. 'Call it Off' by Shamir!