Oh, you thought it was a wrap for Estelle after "American Boy," huh? It's a fair assessment to make. Her follow up single to "American Boy," "No Substitute Love" didn't register on the public's radar. She even released a Cee Lo collabo, "Pretty Please" that didn't go over well either. Yikes. The question began to emerge: Is Estelle doomed to one-hit wonderdom?
If there's any justice in the world, hell no! Estelle has found her groove again with her new collaboration with Sean Paul, "Come Over." The video for the track was just released, so please take a look.
The song itself is a breezy, light, sensual love song about desire, longing and lust. It's got a slow whine to it and it'll have you turning out the lights faster than Michael Jackson at a kids-only slumber party. If you think Estelle sounds at home in the Caribbean groove, it is in part thanks to her roots. Estelle's papa was a native of Grenada and Estelle's rap side has always been heavily influenced by Caribbean styles. As for Sean Paul, he could do this song in his sleep, but he thankfully puts in some work and really brings home the male/female dynamic which makes the song click.
Now all of those compliments I paid to the song don't translate to the video. Look, I know they're cutting budgets for videos. I'm not expecting a million-dollar, green screen, Star Wars-type music video. But damn, all artists seem to be doing these days for their music videos is renting a mansion for a few hours and walking around in the damn house and posing on furniture. And for all the warmth that Sean Paul and Estelle generate on the song, it doesn't show in their physical interaction. Estelle seems stiff and intimidated, while Sean is in creepy rough sex mood, biting his lip and smashing his face against Estelle's. Damn, homie, it's supposed to be a music video, not a softcore Cinemax skin flick.
I expected Estelle, being part Caribbean, to put some whine on her moves during the dance floor scene but she looked like she ain't know what to do with her lady lumps.
And though I love Estelle, I've got to say it: Did you see Estelle's JACKED UP grill at the end of the video? She was giving us straight-up Mr. Ed with her protruding gums and beastly teeth.
Is there anything that can be done about horse mouth syndrome? I'm doubtful. In the words of Mr. Ed: a horse is a horse of course, of course.
