Although American-Canadian R&B singer Robin Thicke hasn’t heretofore been known as an especially controversial artist, the smash hit title-track of this sixth solo album quickly landed him in hot water. Maybe it was the involvement of his co-conspirators, rapper T.I. and singer/producer Pharrell – either way, lyrics such as, “Nothing like your last guy/He don’t smack that ass and pull your hair like that,” caused an internet storm over their alleged “rapey-ness” (the word used by an outraged Daily Beast columnist).
Needless to say, the song’s undeniably catchy refrain of “I know you want it” didn’t help matters. And a video so raunchy it was banned by YouTube sealed the deal. For his part, 37-year-old Thicke took some time out from counting all the money to offer a half-hearted defense (“but all three of us are happily married with children!”). A comment somewhat belied by the lyrics on ‘Give It 2 U’ (featuring Kendrick Lamar), where he boasts that he’s “got a little Thicke for you/big dick for you.”
There are further puerile examples scattered over these 10 tracks if you could be bothered to hunt them out. For all its borderline chauvinism, adolescent bravado and sexual wordplay, however, this is a superbly produced album, albeit something of a ragbag of styles – a perfectly summery funk/soul/R&B collection, featuring smooth melodies and harmonies that wouldn’t jar on a Michael Jackson or Marvin Gaye record. It’s only some of the lyrics that are a bit, well, Thicke.