Tim: Unlike Charlie Who, there’s a whole lot of stuff to be found about Betty – Australian, 25 years old, second album coming up and has recently had a rather unusual incident in a launderette.
Tom: That’s equal parts Hollaback Girl and I Really Like You, then.
Tim: Something like that, yes. It’s a shame about the sad ending of the video, but at least now I needn’t bother finding my nearest launderette to join in the fun. Still, that music, which starts off somewhat unpleasant (looking at you, first and third lines of each verse), but soon arrives at a remarkably good chorus.
Tom: Mm. I’m surprised you’re supporting it so much, but then you were always a bigger Icona Pop fan than I was.
Tim: Yes; on the other hand I never had much time for Hollaback Girl, yet this is similar.
Tom: I mean, it’s a good track, don’t get me wrong — certainly better than a lot of the forgettable dreck we get through here.
Tim: “So what sort of music do you write about?” they ask. “Oh, mostly forgettable dreck,” I reply.
Tom: Okay, okay, so that’s harsh, but let’s be honest, there’s not much exciting new stuff coming through here is there? There’s a reason Popjustice has their profane new prize this year. We’re in an era where most of the Top 10 is Ed Sheeran. Literally.
Tim: I don’t know, I think we’ve had some decent variety over the past few weeks if you look back. And yes, Ed Sheeran seems silly, but it’s because the charts have changed: two years ago, he’d have had one massive number one album and two top 10 singles. Streaming doesn’t let that happen, though, so when a big enough album drops, this is almost an inevitability. As for this track…
Tom: It’s just got a lot of “inspired by” vibes that make me want to listen to the originals instead.
Tim: Hmm, well, much of my enthusiasm might be due to the video – if I heard it on the radio there’s a good chance I might just find it a bit of a racket. Having that video on the first time I heard it got me in exactly the right frame of mind for it, though, so right now I’m happily going ALL IN. Into the song, that is, not the washing machine. I’m not quite at that place yet.