Liam Payne, Strip That Down | Track Review 🎵

Liam Payne joins the One Direction solo movement with his sexy debut single, “Strip That Down,” featuring Quavo of Migos.  

Liam Payne wouldn’t be outdone by his One Direction contemporaries! After Harry Styles became the second member of the boy band to drop an album, Liam is finally getting into the solo action.  Clearly, Payne’s approach is quite different than Styles.  His new single, friends, is entitled “Strip That Down” and it features ubiquitous rapper, Quavo.  No rock-oriented sound for Payne, as he goes for full-fledged, sex-driven pop. Unlike his former bandmate, Zayn, Payne keeps it classy…well, suggestive.

The production sounds, gangsta.  By gangsta, the sound is firmly planted in the urban-pop vein, which employs hip-hop cues and elements.  Does Payne compromise his boy band innocence? Somewhat, but he shouldn’t feel too guilty.  Sure, he wants her to undress, and yes, he’s thinking with his pants, but he’s not particularly offensive.  Honestly, he remains pretty innocent:

“You know, I love it, when the music’s loud
But c’mon, strip that down for me, baby
Now there’s a lot of people in the crowd
But only you can dance with me
So put your hands on my body
And swing that round for me, baby
You know I love it when the music’s loud
But c’mon, strip that down for me…”

It’s weird.  The single art has a tatted, shirtless Payne, yet the sexiness of “Strip That Down” only goes so far.  Parents still won’t be particularly pleased with their daughters listening to the innuendo, but it could be worse – Zayn didn’t hold back with his sexcapades.

Final Thoughts 

So, how does Liam Payne single no. 1 stack up? Good, but not the second coming.  “Strip That Down” is easy on the ears, tastefully referencing sex. Vocally, Liam embodies urban-pop successfully, without distinguishing himself as a truly distinct artist.  As for Quavo, he doesn’t say much in his rhymes, but nor is he profane, which suits the classy vibe Payne is opting for.  All in all, it’s a respectable start, but doesn’t quite have the same punch as “Sign of the Times” or “Pillowtalk.”

Liam Payne • Strip That Down – single • Capitol • Release: 5.19.17 

Photo Credit: Capitol