The Bottom Line
There's always room for a light, airy, danceable pop tune when expertly performed and produced. Estelle sings with supreme confidence on this US pop breakthrough, while will.i.am, using the beat from his own song "Impatient," lends an intimate, slickly professional setting. Kanye West's trademark raps are icing on this very sweet slice of pop cake.
Pros
- Estelle's sweet, flirty vocals
- Instant chemistry between Estelle and Kanye
- Funky disco beat
Cons
- Unabashedly fluffy
Description
- Written by William Adams, Keith Harris, Josh Lopez, Caleb Speir, Estelle Swaray, and Kanye West
- Produced by will.i.am
- Released March 2008 by Atlantic Records
Guide Review - Estelle featuring Kanye West - "American Boy"
The confidence expressed in the vocals on her first album The 18th Day made it obvious Estelle Swaray, recording simply as Estelle, could rise quickly to the top of the UK R&B scene. Here, with a single from her second album Shine, she not only hit #1 at home, but she's knocking on the top 10 in the US. will.i.am's disco beat gives the whole record a bit of a European swagger, but Kanye West's raps provide familiarity for American ears.
The lyrics of "American Boy" detail a sweet imagining of cross-Atlantic romance. New York, L.A., Chicago, and Miami are all extolled as worthy destinations from shore to shore of the American continent. Estelle should have no problems these days taking her trip "to see L.A."
Estelle's mixed African and Caribbean ancestry helps give her music a true international flair. This song is perfection for a slick, summery glide across the dance floor. Estelle has arrived.
