It’s always a pleasant surprise to hear new releases on Stripped Down.
The one cover that took me aback last night was Craig David’s version of Justin Bieber’s Love Yourself – it was like a mumbo jumbo of the blue-eyed soul ballad written by Bieber, Ed Sheeran and Benjamin Levin. I still haven’t decided whether I like it or not seeing that for starters, I don’t even like the song in itself, however it’s beginning to grow on me so who knows if I’ll ever be partial to this hollow track from Biebs’ 2015 album Purpose. I guess only time will tell because contrary to Amy Davidson of Consequence of Sound, who called it a “deliciously evil poison-pen ballad”, I call it an “insipid anodyne poison-pen piece”! As they say, it’s different strokes for different folks!
However, Rude covered by Selena Gomez was absolutely spectacular! Maybe it’s because, in spite of the original having been too overplayed, I still think it rocks. Regardless, Gomez nailed it! The debut single from the Canadian reggae fusion band Magic was an all-time hit internationally although it got mixed reviews. Nevertheless, 4Music expressed approval in saying “One listen and you’ll be hooked” and indeed they were totally dead-on! A 2013 flashback leviathan, this song from their debut album Don’t Kill The Magic, whether remixed or not, covered or not, is without a doubt magical!
Now here’s the track that made my night: Lean On by R City covering Major Lazer’s dance hit was, in my opinion, the dynamite on last night’s show! I not only love the track, but R City and Major Lazer, so how can I not have anything but positive praises for this gig? I just reveled in everything the cover offered, from the Jamaican reggaeish atmosphere that it had to the medley they incorporated from Rihanna’s Umbrella that gave it a collabo feel!
So yes, keep ‘em naked performances coming from the BBC Live Lounge for Stripped Down right here on Y101 Always First… It’s positively relishing to hear those unbelievable acoustics every Sunday from 8PM – 12AM!
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