On the Regular

"On the Regular"
Single by Shamir
from the album Ratchet
Released October 28, 2014
Format Digital download
Genre Hip hop, disco
Length 2:56
Label XL
Producer(s) Nick Sylvester[1]

"On the Regular" is a song recorded by American musician Shamir. It was released by XL Recordings on October 28, 2014.

The song features a prominent rhythm with cowbell and heavy bass.[2][3] Shamir uses an androgynous falsetto, delivering rhymes in contrast to his singing on Northtown.[2][4] The lyrics are an unrelated set of observations.[2] Shamir taunts others and brags about his style. In the song's bridge, he switches from rapping to innocent, soulful singing.[5] Music critics referenced Azealia Banks' 2011 debut single "212" for its bassline, dance beat, and playful reinvention of urban music.[4][6][7] The Fader likened the song's "bubblegum hip-hop" to a younger-sounding Leif.[8]

It had viral success in the United Kingdom,[9] and it reached number 36 on the Billboard Twitter Emerging Artists chart.[10] The attention brought by "On the Regular" allowed Shamir to embark on a European tour in late 2014.[11] It placed 68th on the 2014 Pazz & Jop poll of music critics.[12] Pitchfork Media named it the 11th best track of 2014,[13] Drowned in Sound placed the song 18th on its year-end list,[14] and BlackBook magazine ranked the song 12th.[15]

The music video for "On the Regular" was directed by Anthony Sylvester.[16] It shows Shamir with different hairstyles, flashy patterns, and a fringe jacket.[8] He plays with a rubber band gun and makes balloons burst into color.[16]

References

  1. ↑ Werthman, Christine. "Shamir 'On the Regular'". Complex. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 King, Jason (October 30, 2014). "Shamir, 'On The Regular'". NPR. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  3. ↑ Oliver, Genevieve (October 29, 2014). "New: Shamir – 'On the Regular'". Pretty Much Amazing. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Lester, Paul (December 24, 2014). "The playlist: the best new bands of 2014, with Shamir and Prada Mane". The Guardian. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  5. ↑ Gordon, Jeremy (October 30, 2014). "Shamir: 'On the Regular'". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Shamir airs infectious new video for 'On the Regular'". DIY. October 29, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Shamir + Yvette + Mister Small". Time Out New York. November 13, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 McDermott, Patrick D. (October 28, 2014). "Shamir Is An Angel And XL Knows It". The Fader. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Spotify's Top 10 Most Viral Tracks". The New York Times. December 16, 2014. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Shamir - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  11. ↑ Bland, Pete (January 2, 2015). "Singles 2014: 'She wears my favorite color/every day in her eyes'". Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  12. ↑ "The Village Voice's 42nd Pazz & Jop Music Critics' Poll: The Last Word on the Year in Music". The Village Voice. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  13. ↑ Torres, Eric (December 2014). "The 100 Best Tracks of 2014". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  14. ↑ Leedham, Robert (December 8, 2014). "Drowned In Sound's 40 Favourite Songs of 2014". Drowned in Sound. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  15. ↑ Rosenzweig, Mathias (2014). "The 20 Best Songs of 2014: From Nick Minaj and BANKS to Sam Smith and Sylvan Esso". BlackBook. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Minsker, Evan (October 28, 2014). "Shamir Shares 'On the Regular' Video, Signs to XL". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved February 15, 2015.

External links