A little more than a year ago, Pharrell Williams, the charismatic, jet-setting, chick-magnet half of the veteran production duo, the Neptunes, was musically out of the loop. His platinum and innovative touch diminished, Skateboard P was garnering more press for his successful Billionaire Boys Club and ICECREAM clothing lines. Which is why Pharrell’s latest collaboration, the Neptunes produced “I.D.G.A.F.”—a cold yet funked-up, new wave track by Detroit native Mike Posner—caps off an impressive return-to-blinged-out-form for the 40-year-old studio visionary following triumphant hook-ups with Daft Punk (!!!), Tyler, the Creator, Robin Thicke, Frank Ocean and Kendrick Lamar.
All of the classic Neptunes hallmarks are here: a club-conquering groove; Blade Runner-esque keyboards; a detached, yet truly cool attitude. Longtime followers of the Virginia formed tandem will make the point that “I.D.G.A.F.” is most likely an older recording, given the record’s throwback attributes (Pharrell and Neptunes partner Chad Hugo have publicly drifted apart over recent years). But who cares? Singer-songwriter Posner breaks out his indelible, goofy charm (“You don’t fuck white ‘boys/I’mma change that shit/Now where your chick, huh?”) and still manages to deliver the sexiness needed to be taken seriously on such a cut. But really, Pharrell’s imprints are all over this one; he even rhymes with his famous off-centered authority on left-field lyrics like, “Mysteries of the fish, yeah, I am Nemo.” Let’s hope P’s inspired run continues. —Keith Murphy (@murphdogg29)
Photo Credit: SoulCulture UK