Toni Braxton: Dance
Details
Pros:
Imagery and sharp choreography brings out the best inside Toni's latest dancefloor bopCons:
Chorus needs more lyrical meat. Visual aesthetic a little similar to the visuals on "Long As I Live."The “Unbreak My Heart” singer finally finds her dose of happy on the dance floor
The “Unbreak My Heart” singer finally finds her dose of happy on the dance floor
“I don’t give a damn/I just want to dance the love away,” Toni Braxton sings atop grooves heavily reminiscent of disco’s past.
Like Gaga did with the overtly sad lyrics inside her dancey universe of Chromatica, the “Unbreak My Heart” singer (who is no stranger to sad songs – i.e. “Another Sad Love Song”) finds refuge in the rhythmically upbeat disco beats of the Antonio Dixon-produced track. It’s the third single off of Braxton’s upcoming tenth studio album, (Spell My Name), and it’s a move that Braxton’s label suitors often avoid: Putting the angelic Anita Baker acolyte on uptempo, especially on a single. But this one really works! Yes, the chorus is hungry for more lyricalness and feels barren when considering Braxton’s bigger anthems, but her voice rides the crest of the club waves, occasionally marrying breathy sex appeal into a track that feels like Phyllis Hyman’s “You Know How to Love Me” of our generation. And towards the song’s fade, a jubilant crew of chanters echoes “I got to get over him.” In those final seconds, we’ve left craving for more of the irresistible groove.
The concept video, directed by music video pro Mike Ho (Cardi B’s “Ring,” Mary J. Blige’s “Whole Damn Year,” Chris Brown’s “New Flame), is where the song really takes flight. Thanks to sharp dancers giving fun choreography with Toni stashed in the middle, the song’s grooves find its magic wand. At times the Rosero McCoy-powered choreo looks like it’s been tailored for Chicago’s resilient stepper community. It helps to see that it’s been recorded in an environment structured in our new normal of COVID-19 life. There’s no personal contact whatsoever. No need for it; Toni and the dancers pull off a routine that feels complete and communal. To top the visual event off, the contrast coming from the beaming bright spotlight and background club lights on their black wardrobe (and at times, on puddles of water) amps up the edginess, easily giving off throwback Aaliyah vibes. Who would’ve thought the songstress would’ve found her boogie on the dance floor.
