Country-pop comeback kid Shania Twain returns with “We Got Something They Don’t,” the fourth teaser track from her long-awaited album, Now.

The good news – Shania Twain is returning after a 15-year hiatus with Now.  The bad news? There’s not really any bad news. Twain is 51 years old and given such a lengthy absence, what has she got to lose? Nothing.  That said, the launch for Now has been so-so.  Her comeback single, “Life’s About to Get Good” was respectable.  Arguably, “Poor Me” was meh at best.  Her third reveal, “Swingin’ With My Eyes Closed”? – not too bad.  Now back with her fourth teaser track, “We Got Something They Don’t,” it’s not too shabby.  It’s also not transcendent either…

“We Got Something They Don’t” features an excellent, driving groove.  There’s a degree of soulfulness. There are some intriguing production cues, including the horns.  There’s an instrumental section, which marks one of the biggest selling points of the record. Vocally, Shania Twain sounds easy-going, delivering a casual, but effective performance. The chorus is okay, but not necessarily ‘the second coming.’ Arguably, it’s a tad bit clunky.  Even so, it’s definitely NOT a deal breaker.  It’s worth noting that Twain showcases even more investment in the song near the end – that’s a plus.

In addition to a number of pros in regards to “We Got Something They Don’t,” there are also some cons.  As aforementioned, the chorus is respectable, but unexceptional.  Nitpicky, but worth noting. The sound of the record itself is more impressive than the song as a whole.  “We Got Something They Don’t” isn’t bad, but it’s also not groundbreaking or particularly remarkable. Arguably, the song grows a bit monotonous with lots of repetition, partly due to the production.  Yes, the production is good, but despite the short duration, due to the repetition of ideas, “We Got Something They Don’t” feels more drawn out than it should.

Final Thoughts

So, how does “We Got Something They Don’t” pan out? All in all, it’s good, at worst, just okay.  The big problem is, this just doesn’t scream ‘come back’ from Shania Twain.  It’s forgettable compared to the numerous hits the country-pop artist dazzled us with back when.  That may be the thorn in Twain’s side returning after a 15-year hiatus.  For what it is, however, “We Got Something They Don’t” checks off most boxes.

Shania Twain • Now • Mercury Nashville • Release: 9.29.17 

Photo Credit: Mercury Nashville