PSY invokes his inner 2 Live Crew for “New Face” but oddly falls short on entertainment

PSY is back with ‘4X2=8‘ with double title tracks in “New Face” and “I Luv It“, and while I actually enjoyed the latter one more, I had more thoughts on the former.

The chorus chanting of “new face new face new face” is a pretty obvious throwback to a hook from late-80s/early-90s rap, and the “HEYYYYY WE WANT SOME NEW FACE” is basically taken directly from 2 Live Crew‘s “We Want Some Pussy“.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNej0Nonlw0

There’s nothing wrong with that in itself, but eventually I kinda realized that this was like a toned-down version of that release, which ends up making it less entertaining, and that’s not something I’d usually ever say about a PSY effort. It does, however, embody the feeling I got while listening and watching “New Face”.

PSY’s a talented guy in terms of being all-rounder in music, and he’s managed to carve out a star career for himself with upbeat & catchy songs, fun & addictive choreography, and his wild and crazy guy persona that just beckons you to have fun along with him. Whether before or after “Gangnam Style“, PSY always brought it like few others did and gave a handful less fucks than others did, and that’s what made me a fan.

But (and you knew that was coming) I didn’t feel “New Face” for the most part. It’s hard to explain because it has an upbeat instrumental, it has a bunch of crazy choreo, and his persona is still at work, but none of it really meshes together in this and it felt oddly perfunctory to me. Like it was a bit safe both visually and sonically, playing to the audience but not really pushing any further like he usually does.

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