Pop Perspective: Cashmere Cat & The Weeknd’s “Wild Love” Rated & Reviewed

Mike Wass | August 26, 2016 2:09 pm

At Idolator, the editors share a passion for high-quality pop. Occasionally, our tastes align. Other times, not so much. So, in the spirit of debate (and online drama), we’ve developed a recurring feature called Pop Perspective. In a nutshell, our editors dissect a particularly noteworthy pop-event, and give it a rating out of 10.

That way you’re getting a full spectrum of views and we can all vent. (It’s cheaper than therapy!) The latest track to be dragged under the Idolator microscope is Cashmere Cat, The Weeknd and Francis And The Lights’ all-star collaboration, “Wild Love.” Is this a multi-layered masterpiece or a failed experiment? Read our thoughts below.

Robbie Daw — 1/10

Fellas, best set the bong down for a second — Imogen Heap just called, and she wants her pussy back.

Rachel Sonis — 7/10

This song is a monster. Cashmere Cat (one of the masterminds behind Kanye West’s “Wolves”) delivers yet another haunting melody, which unravels at every twist and turn. Not to mention, the entire thing is only elevated by Francis and the Light’s gargles and The Weekend’s love-lorn coos. In fact, is anyone else getting House Of Balloons vibes from this one, or is it just me?

Carl Williott — 7/10

It’s not the colossus I was hoping for when the collab was first teased. It’s less banger and more synth farter, actually. I mean that in a good way re: all the puzzling digital squirtles on the track. I don’t know what I’m hearing, what’s Francis’ taffy-processed vocals, what’s Cashmere Cat’s computer. The only tangible piece is Abel Tesfaye’s voice, and even that is fluid and formless. It’s unlike any vocal he’s ever done.

So I like this, not necessarily as a song I’ll keep returning to, but as something completely unexpected from a major pop star and a fairly dominant producer.

Mike Wass — 5/10

Allotting this a score out of 10 is like trying to review a Janet Jackson interlude. It’s more of a mood-setting puzzle piece of a larger body of work than a stand-alone entity. Within the context of the album, “Wild Love” could take on a whole new meaning. On its own, however, the song is simultaneously beautiful and aggravating. But ultimately hollow.

AVERAGE SCORE: 5/10

What would you rate the song out of 10? Let us know below, or by hitting us up on Facebook and Twitter!