Gambino's got the game locked.
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It’s fair to call Childish Gambino (aka Donald Glover) something of a genius, as proved by his tantalising epic of a comeback track, taken from forthcoming record “Awaken, My Love!”. Tiptoeing in like a peaceful lullaby, ‘Me And Your Mama’ soon dips into his signature slow, smooth, and groovy dance-like beat as voices straight out of a gospel choir serenade over the top. But then, he delivers some serious funk and soul as the track takes a turn into a rousing vocal showcase – “Do what you want / I’m telling you / Let me into your heart,” he cries, channeling his inner James Brown as the blues instrumentals crash in. This is a progressive journey on par with the prog-rock legends of old.
Glover’s musical know-how is impeccable – ‘Me And Your Mama’ is a masterclass in build and growth. Its closing passage eases up and soothes just as the opening does, building and resolving like a story that you want to read over again as soon as it’s done. To open Because The Internet‘s ‘Sweatpants,’ he rapped, “Haters wonder why Gambino got the game locked.” Well, now we know exactly why: because he’s showing up the rest of the whole damn thing. This is academic.
‘Me And Your Mama’ is out now via Glassnote