Review: “Drop That Kitty” by Ty Dolla $ign, Tinashe, & Charli XCX

If I didn’t know better, I’d swear that “Drop That Kitty,” the new single from the unlikely trio of Ty Dolla $ign, Tinashe, and Charli XCX, was recently unearthed from a time capsule from 2005. All of the elements are there: references to a video phone (so, like… a phone), the line “shake it like a saltshaker/she goin’ hard like a jawbreaker,” and Ty’s long drawn-out “uh oh”s that sound like a Black Eyed Peas chorus.

The fact that it’s a throwback doesn’t mean it’s a bad song, though. Ty Dolla $ign’s verses are a fun combination of sexy and playful, and the first verse is an impressive stream-of-consciousness monologue about a girl shakin’ it. Tinashe’s pleased, confident purr is a great counterpoint to Charli XCX’s drill-sergeant chanting. Also, the song is technically G-rated, even though the ‘kitty’ metaphor gets old quickly. In theory, you could play this song for a ten year old, although they would probably wonder why Ty’s “playin’ with that kitty/it ain’t got fur.”

Musically, the song is a lowkey jam: fingersnaps, bass, and not much else. It’s the kind of song that’s always welcome at clubs and house parties — perfect for people who just wanna nod along and kitty-droppers alike.

Originally published at claremulligan.tumblr.com.