| "Mess Around" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Forest Claudette featuring EarthGang | ||||
| from the album Everything Was Green | ||||
| Released | 24 March 2023 | |||
| Length | 3:50 | |||
| Label |
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| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Paul Meany | |||
| Forest Claudette featuring EarthGang singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Mess Around" on YouTube | ||||
"Mess Around" is a song by Australian alt-R&B singer Forest Claudette featuring American hip hop duo, EarthGang. It was released on 24 March 2023 as the lead single from Claudette's second EP, Everything Was Green.
Reception
About the track, Claudette said, "Around the time I wrote 'Mess Around' I was going on dates and exploring LA for the first time as an adult. I met some incredible people and they helped me learn a lot about myself. Even though it has this real f**k boy energy, to me the song is about feeling confident in what you want and feeling comfortable to communicate that with whoever, knowing they might not feel the same. But that's life bbyyyy [sic]." [1]
In speaking with Acclaim Magazine, Claudette said they had finished the song when the label suggested the inclusion of the featured artist. Claudette shortlisted names of people and was pleased when Earthgang agreed to it. Claudette told Acclaim Magazine "We had a chat on the phone about the song and the energy of it; they were both very generous with their time. It was awesome. Definitely a moment I won't forget." [2]
At the 2023 Music Victoria Awards, the song was nominated for Best Song or Track. [3]
At the 2023 ARIA Music Awards, the song won the ARIA Award for Best Soul/R&B Release. [4]
Music video
The Grey Ghost directed music video premiered on YouTube on 6 April 2023.
Reception
Sose Fuamoli from Triple Jcalled the track "slinky", saying "From the jump, the track captivates; rich production matches the energy of both artists on the record." [1]
Emma Whines from The Music said "'Mess Around' is slinky, sexy and perfectly executed by Claudette whose smooth voice makes you feel some type of way in this single. Filled with soul-centred soundscapes, funky beats and groovy bass lines, 'Mess Around' is the slow jam of the summer." [5]
Ayodeji Ibrahim Lateef from Yours Truly called the song "mesmerising", saying "The enticing music, soulful but ethereal, merges current rhythms with flashes of old-school soul." [6]
References
- ^ a b Sose Fuamoli (24 March 2023). "Forest Claudette and EARTHGANG team up for slinky new track 'Mess Around'". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
- ^ Veniana Vucago (June 2023). "Forest Claudette: Growing Beyond The Green". Acclaim Magazine. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
- ^ "Nominees, Hall of Fame Inductees Announced for 2023 Music Victoria Awards". Music Feeds. 14 September 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
- ^ "ARIA Awards 2023: the Nominees & Winners as They're Announced". NME Australia. 15 November 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
- ^ "Body Type, Forest Claudette & More: This Week's Best New Music". The Music. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
- ^ "Forest Claudette Joins Earthgang For New Song "Mess Around"". Yours Truly. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.