Is It Love Or Entertainment

Ciara “Thinkin’ About You”

“Thinkin’ ‘Bout You” sounds like it was made in defiance of all current pop trends in favor of thin, dreary melodies and hollow, minimalist arrangements, and in celebration of the sort of up-tempo, cheerful pop that could go much further in the ’80s and ’00s. It’s proudly out of step, and as such, feels more like it’s aiming for the future than looking towards the past. There aren’t that many specific musical similarities, but this song reminds me a lot of “How Do I Know” by Whitney Houston in both energy and sentiment – it’s a perky song about falling in love but dealing with all the anxieties and insecurities that go along with making yourself vulnerable and setting up expectations for what you’d like to happen. Ciara’s voice can’t help but convey optimism and joy in this song, so even the most neurotic lines land in a way that makes it seem more “butterflies” than “nervous wreck.”

Buy it from Amazon.