After nearly a month of dormancy, Critic of Music is back
with first post of 2014. And what a way to start the year with two of the
biggest pop stars on the planet, Shakira and Rihanna collaborating on Can’t Remember to Forget You.
Where Can’t Remember
tries to be different, it gets scared, and concedes to typical pop-rock radio
fodder. The Caribbean-Latin vibe in the verses is something that we’ve seen
from Shakira very often, but Rihanna tends to keep that sound hidden deep in
her albums (bar the overshadowed single You
Da One). But the chorus quickly comes out at you like a fireball of
misplaced guitars and synths, with Shakira’s “oh’s” only growing more
irritating as the song progresses. Rihanna somewhat mimics her diction, but
takes more liberty with the rhythm in the chorus.
The lyrics, though they come coupled with the interesting
line “Can’t Remember to Forget You,” fail to bring anything as witty or
charming to the table. It’s like Katy Perry had her Roar lyrics ripped off and
spattered on this mumbled love song (which just continues a sad pattern, ask
Sara Bareilles). Is it catchy? Kind of. Is it revolutionary? Not at all.
Overall, a major disappointment from two accomplished pop stars.
Lyrics: D+
Vocals: C-
Production: C
Overall: C-