[usr 4.5]

Childish Gambino (Donald Glover) returns with an ambitious single, “Me and Your Mama,” which serves as the buzz single for new album, “Awaken, My Love!”

Childish Gambino shocked the world by announcing a brand new studio album, “Awaken, My Love!” (due December 2, 2016). Ever the eclectic artist, his promo single, “Me and Your Mama,” isn’t a rap song, but rather an experimental R&B track.  While the raw, profane rhymes of “Bonfire” don’t rear their head here, “Me and Your Mama” is nothing short of intriguing awesomeness.

https://youtu.be/_hZCsgcKa-g

Mysterious production work opens “Me and Your Mama.” It sounds like a lullaby, very dreamy in sound. When the production stabilizes, it channels throwback, lush R&B. The drum programming stands out, sporting a hip-hop oriented sound.

 The intro is handled by backing vocals: “I’m in love when we are smokin’ that la-la-la-la-la…” This occurs eight consecutive times. Things get more ambitious after the intro with a blues-rock-oriented hook:

“Do what you want! / I’ll tell you / let me into your heart!”

Ambitiousness carries over into Childish Gambino’s verses.  “Me and Your Mama” becomes a blend of rock and emotional, heart wrenching soul. A number of lyrical highlights appear, specifically during the verses. Among the best appears on the first verse:

“Can’t stand it, backhanded! / they wanna see us fallin’ apart! / you know that I love you! / So let me into your heart!”

Another brilliant feature of the track are the soulful interjections by the backing vocals:

“Let me into your heart!”

Final Thoughts 

Ultimately, “Me and Your Mama” ends up being an incredibly ambitious, superb promo single from Awaken, My Love.  Childish Gambino isn’t afraid to try something different from everything else. It bodes extremely well for him.

Childish Gambino • Awaken, My Love • Glassnote • Release: 12.2.16

Photo Credit: Glassnote