There is something very different about my Spotify playlists now. They used to be dominated by your run-of-the-mill white alternative bands singing about liking or hating or breaking up with girls, accompanied by a borderline-cacophonous instrumental setup in the background. It sounds like I’m generalising (hit me with the Not All Bands, yo) but there really are so many of these bands. Even though I still enjoy a few of their songs, I got tired of the regularity of it, the utter predictability of that unavoidable drum solo. And so I moved on.
Now my playlists are dominated by music made by women, for women. I don’t know what to tell you, there’s just something different about it. A bit more life to it. Perhaps this is not a shared experience, but what can I say, I’m loving all the talented artists showing up in my recommended list. For now however, the song I want to explore in closer detail, is Juice by Lizzo.
If you haven’t jumped onto the Lizzo bandwagon yet, she’s an American rapper, singer and flautist, who flaunts her genre-bending music with inimitable and deserving confidence. If I had to describe Juice, the lead single in her third album, “Cuz I Love You”, I’d say it’s a retro-inspired, funky pop song. The song literally oozes charisma. Accompanied by the amazing video recreated along the lines of a cheesy 80’s commercial, and the Prince-esque guitars, we cannot help but be charmed. Her unbridled joy for life seeps through every line in the song; it’s infectious.
The song begins with the lines, “Mirror, mirror on the wall/ Don’t say it, ’cause I know I’m cute”, which is a perfect start to what is essentially a playful, self-indulgent bop. The accompanying video is just as upbeat with Lizzo mimicking old Jane Fonda workout tapes, lotion commercials and other significant hallmarks of 80’s television. If you were wondering, this isn’t the only amazing song she has released, and you should definitely lend your ears to ‘Tempo’ (featuring Missy Elliot!), ‘My Skin’, or ‘Truth Hurts’. I turn to Lizzo whenever I feel like I need a song that will send me dancing around my room, and she certainly delivers.
Lizzo is a body positive queen who celebrates black woman empowerment, and her song, which came out four days into the new year, is still dominating playlists everywhere. In all honesty, I procrastinated on writing this article because I got distracted by the song I was supposed to review. It’s certainly an earworm, but a welcome one.
The entire body positivity movement has faced a lot of criticism over time with entertainers and corporations co-opting the narrative for their own gains, but this song brings it back to the roots. She sings and raps about finding your self-worth and sticking with it. As a black woman artist, it’s no surprise that she has faced obstacles in the industry, but her utter refusal to let go of her truth is inspiring. I believe that her songs are worth listening to, not because they’re wonders of musical talent – she too is subject to flaws – but for their immense reach as anthems of self-love. It inspires us all to, well, have faith in our juice.
Article by Kiran A.
Illustration by Namrata Nirmal
Article 19 