Ant Clemons, Better Days | Track Review 🎵

Rising Grammy-nominated R&B artist Ant Clemons taps Grammy-winner Justin Timberlake for the sleek, soulful single, “Better Days.”

It has to feel pretty great to be 🎙 Ant Clemons right about now.  The R&B artist has definitely seen his profile be elevated as of late.  In 2019, he notably collaborated with 🎙 Kanye West on West’s 🏆 Grammy-nominated Christian album, JESUS IS KING.  As impressive as that is, the rising artist is nominated for his own Grammy for Best R&B Album with 💿 Happy 2 Be Here – quite an accomplishment.  You know another big accomplishment? Collaborating with one of pop’s biggest artists, 🎙 Justin Timberlake, on a pretty sweet single, 🎵 “Better Days.” That’s a come up indeed.

From the jump, “Better Days” feels like a blend of classic and more modern R&B – alternative R&B to some extent.  Produced by Clemons and Timberlake alongside 🎙 1500 or Nothin’ and 🎙 Bongo, the record sounds incredibly lush and smooth.  Adding to the vibe and overall soulfulness is the lilting compound duple meter.  Of course, the biggest triumph of “Better Days” are the vocal performances, period.  Clemons serves up beautiful, dynamic, soulful vocals from the onset, beginning with the pre-chorus, and following up with centerpiece, the chorus:

“‘Cause we’re on our way to better
Better’s ahead, better’s ahead
It gets worse ‘fore it gets better
But better’s ahead, better’s ahead
Better days are comin’.”

Aiding Ant Clemons on select lines are 🎙 Justine Skye and 🎙 Lucky Daye.  Similarly, on the first verse, where Justin Timberlake first appears, Skye and Daye appear on select lines.  Post-verse, Timberlake takes over the reins on pre-chorus and chorus, originally sung by Clemons, and obviously, providing contrast.  No worries though, as Clemons arrives once more on the second verse, collaborating with all aforementioned vocalists in some degree on the outro, a variation on the chorus.  Obviously, the title makes it crystal clear what this record is about, while the verses set things up.

Final Thoughts 💭

If you need encouragement – emotionally or musically – look no further than “Better Days.” Ant Clemons and Justin Timberlake make a great pair on this modern, soulful R&B joint.  It’s thoughtfully-penned and well-produced as well – definitely a vibe. 

🎙 Ant Clemons • 🎵 “Better Days” (Ft. 🎙 Justin Timberlake) • 🏷 A. Blessing / Legion / Human Re Sources • 🗓 12.3.20

[📷: A. Blessing / Legion / Human Re Sources]