Where is Lizzo from ‘Juice’? The author of ‘Special’ has released today what could be the first preview of her next album, ‘Don’t Make Me Love U’. Lizzo’s flirtation with eighties music reaches its maximum levels in this song. Unfortunately, the interpolation of some of the biggest hits of the 80s is not enough to lift the theme. In fact, it ends up being counterproductive.
‘Cuz I Love You’ was Lizzo’s last album before the numerous controversies that have surrounded her career and subsequent releases. ‘Don’t Make Me Love U’ is a failed attempt to reconnect with that vibe. To do this, the artist reuses the bass line from ‘Livin’ On A Prayer’ and the melodic arrangements of the chorus from ‘The Best’, which Lizzo changes for her own voice. This is in the official credits. As if that weren’t enough, it’s hard not to think of ‘Like A Virgin’ as soon as the song starts, even though it’s not an official reference.
At first, making an eighties-style song taking the most recognizable elements of three of the biggest hits of that decade doesn’t seem like the best idea. Especially if the only hook of your song lies in those elements, because the rest of ‘Don’t Make Me Love U’ is very difficult to remember.
One of the biggest problems with the song is that the chorus seems to come too quickly, as if suddenly and without any type of anticipation. “Ah, this is the chorus…” is what comes to mind. This has a lot to do with percussion, which does not care whether it is the verse, the chorus or the pre-chorus. She remains unchanged for virtually the entire track, except for a roll in the bridge.
The intention behind the song is clearly seen, and it could become a great retro song, but it lacks cooking and dynamics. The worst thing that can happen to a song of this nature is that it becomes boring. The lyrics don’t lift it either, with Lizzo asking for honesty in a relationship: “I just want to be desired and feel precious / You better know what you want.”
In the video clip, the worst thing in the end turns out to be the theme. In it, Lizzo dedicates the song to herself. Literally, like Lizzo from ‘Cuz I Love You’, to which she even twerks. Towards the end of the video, it even includes a direct reference to the album cover. They were better times.
