"Whatever" is a song by Norwegian DJ
Kygo and American singer
Ava Max. It was released on 19 January 2024 through
RCA Records,[1] as the lead single from Kygo's upcoming
eponymous sixth studio album. The
tropical house song was written by both artists alongside Cleo Tighe, Jonah Shy, Petey Martin and Rollo. It contains an
interpolation of
Shakira's 2001 song "
Whenever, Wherever", with lyrics about a breakup; therefore, Shakira,
Tim Mitchell and
Gloria Estefan are credited as co-writers. The song reached number one in Norway and the top 10 in Sweden.
Background and composition
In early January 2024, Kygo and Max posted snippets of an upcoming collaboration on their social media accounts.[2][3] On 10 January, Kygo announced the release date of the song.[4] "Whatever" was released for
digital download and streaming on January 19 through
RCA Records and
Sony Music.[5] It was written by Kygo, Max, Cleo Tighe, Jonah Shy, Patrick Martin, and Rollo. The chorus
interpolatesShakira's 2001 song "
Whenever, Wherever". Shakira,
Gloria Estefan, and
Tim Mitchell were consequently credited as songwriters.[6]
"Whatever" is a
tropical house song.[7] The lyrics of the original song's chorus were modified to "Whatever, whatever / We were never good together / I'll be here and you stay there / Truth is, I never cared",[5] making for a "harsh rebuke of the limitless love" presented in the original song.[8] The instrumental is built around an
acoustic guitar and a "pumping"
kick drum.[5][8]
Critical reception
The song received mixed reviews from critics. Jason Heffler from EDM.com called the song an "infectious cover" and "a saccharine anthem that will soon dominate
dance radio".[5]We Rave You's Chris Vuoncino said to "expect 'Whatever' to be on repeat all year long at festivals and radio stations everywhere".[8] Writing for Billboard, Andrew Unterberger described the song as "an undeniable club smash".[9]
Less positively, Exclaim!'s Sydney Brasil wrote that the song's "horrid
interpolation" is its "main crime", and that it "turns the [interpolated] track's chorus into a lazy breakup anthem".[7] Marius Ásp from Verdens Gang also criticized the interpolation, describing it as "lazy and uninspired"; he gave the song a 2 out of 5.[10]
Music video
The music video for "Whatever" was released on January 19, 2024. Directed by
Dano Cerny, it is set in a desolate desert highway.[11] The opening scene shows a telephone booth in the middle of the desert, which then frequently cuts between Max and the landscape, leading to a scene where Max, who is wearing a black leather outfit and holding a
rosary in one of the hands, starts singing as she walks away from a car. After the first chorus, reflective blue gems start floating around the singer, who is now wearing a black dress with a necklace containing three crosses. The video ends with the blue gems merging and showing a reflection of Max.
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ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 202416 into search. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
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ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 20245 into search. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
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ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 202416 into search. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
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ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 20245 into search. Retrieved 5 February 2024.