Janet Jackson Engages In A Little Lycanthropy Of Her Own

Perhaps the happiest news to come out of the Video Music Awards? Janet Jackson has a new single, which is right now streaming from her Web site and has been since shortly after the telecast—which she opened with a tribute to her late brother Michael—ended. Because, you guys, the track is quite good! I know that the once-demanding Janet Curve has been somewhat wrecked by the dud singles that came off her last two albums, but trust me. Sure, the lyrics of “Make Me” do rework the iconic chorus of her late brother’s “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” into something most likely referencing erections, but I’ll let it slide, since the rest of the song can just be read as a jittery ode to finding the right dance partner—no whips, chains, or crummy Khia cameos here. Basically, “Make Me” is a weird hybrid of Shakira’s “She Wolf” and George Michael’s “Fastlove” that’s led along by Janet at her most Michael-channeling, possessing a strength that felt like it was missing from her last two albums. I have no idea who had a hand in writing it, but I kind of want to give them a hug. And Janet, too, because, duh. A Gift From Janet [JanetJackson.com] (NB: my brain might be making the George Michael connection because i tried to chill out on the way home by listening to most of Ladies & Gentlemen. But I think you might hear it too!)