As his latest Vegas residency wraps up, Usher gifts fans a new single, “Good Good,” featuring Summer Walker & 21 Savage. Mel & Mus lend their producing skills to the song while Usher, Paul Dawson, and Tauren Stovall pen the track. Usher’s newest bop” is a catchy and upbeat track that showcases the artist’s smooth vocals and impeccable delivery.
The production is vibrant and danceable, with infectious melodies and pulsating beats. Lyrically, “Good Good” explores themes of attraction and seduction, with Usher describing his desire for a woman from a former relationship still captivates him. The lyrics, while straightforward, are lighthearted and fun, adding to the overall playful and energetic vibe of the song.
Usher’s vocal performance is outstanding, as he effortlessly glides between his lower and higher ranges, displaying his impressive vocal range and control. The way he delivers the lyrics with charisma and confidence adds an extra layer of charm to the song.
The production quality is top-notch, as expected from an artist of Usher’s caliber. The instrumentation is rich and layered, incorporating elements of R&B and pop seamlessly. The catchy hooks and infectious rhythms make it hard not to bop your head and tap your feet along with the song.
Summer Walker provides a decent guest feature, although I would have preferred someone from Usher’s age demographic (i.e., Brandy or Monica) to appeal to the Urban AC crowd. Similarly, 21 Savage adds nothing to the song, and his rap delivery is mid at best. Now I’m not saying that Usher needed to have a KRS-One or Big Daddy Kane, but there are a host of other rappers who could deliver a decent Hot 16 instead of 21 Savage.
Overall, “Good Good” is a solid addition to Usher’s string of 2023 singles following “Glu,” showcasing his talent for creating infectious and enjoyable tracks. It’s a decent song to lift your spirits and get you in a good mood. Whether you’re a fan of Usher or just looking for a feel-good tune, “Good Good” is worth a listen.
Final Grade: B+
“Good Good” is available on all streaming platforms
For this week’s Second Listen Sunday, I want to revisit 2004 and highlight Romeo’s debut solo album, formerly of Immature. Titled “Food for Thought” and released on June 22nd, this project marked the singer’s change of name to Young Rome in an effort to distance himself from the youthful sound of his group, much like his bandmate Marques Houston had done a year earlier.
In the nineties, Hip-Hop reigned supreme, and every label CEO wanted a share of the lucrative R&B market. One strategy was to keep singers on their roster who could deliver catchy hooks, keeping everything in-house and saving money. Bad Boy had Carl Thomas, Death Row had Danny Boy, and Roc-A-Fella had Rell, our featured artist for this week’s Slow Jam Saturday
Growing up in the eighties, I was surrounded by incredibly talented male R&B singers who could deliver unforgettable love songs. Artists like Luther Vandross, Jeffrey Osborne, and Peabo Bryson dominated the airwaves, but Freddie Jackson was another voice that truly deserved recognition.