"On every level, PLAY ME is the most populist and literalist music Gordon has ever made. There are fewer jagged ruptures than on her previous solo records, more clearly demarcated beats, hooks that resemble hooks. The loops recur and aren't so violently flayed open. They chug forward with modulating basslines and a steady krautrock insistence."
"The production functions as a cross-section of hip-hop history, from the Camp Lo-like horns of the title track to the Death Grips internet-era abrasion of 'Girl With a Look,' a Lil Baby type beat on 'Dirty Tech,' and the blurry, Opium-esque distortion of 'Black Out.'"
"Kim Gordon said it was hard to talk about anything with subtlety anymore. The gray areas are disappearing; everything's black and white. Her third solo album, PLAY ME, takes that conclusion at face value. Its surfaces are declarative, its jokes land at the speed of recognition, its politics arrive pre-interpreted."
Kim Gordon's album PLAY ME represents her most accessible and straightforward work to date, departing from the jagged ruptures of her previous solo records. Working with producer Justin Raisen, the album features clearly demarcated beats, recurring loops, and modulating basslines with krautrock influences. At under 28 minutes, it delivers brisk, addictive music with recognizable hooks. The production draws from hip-hop history, incorporating elements from Camp Lo to Death Grips. Gordon's recent observation that subtlety has vanished and everything has become black and white directly informs the album's approach. Rather than exploring complex themes, PLAY ME responds reactively to current events and news, marking a shift from her previous introspective work.
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