Climax
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A song called “Climax” by Usher (and produced by Diplo!) should be the horniest jam of the year. It should be studded with colorful dots of candle wax or stained with the sweat of an overworked synthline. At any rate, it should not sound anything like “Climax” actually does. Which is exactly what makes this song so weirdly remarkable. The titular, um, conclusion is not product of a romantic evening with Usher Raymond IV; it’s the stalled ending of a relationship replete with a clutching sense of desperation. Not that Usher has ever been a master at the bait-and-switch, but I’m sure a lot of folks reaching for their Hulkshare accounts were pulled in hook, line, and sinker. For his part, Diplo shows admirable restraint in crafting the faintest supporting beat that teasingly falls away just as soon as Usher is gearing up for a big moment. Though he’s never been known for his subtlety, Diplo manages to find a musical analog to the frustrating sense of something stalled in the middle of blossoming. Diplo’s trick is probably too clever by half, but the guile seems more than worth it when you realize you find yourself listening to this little gem on repeat.
