While I continue to campaign and collect signatures to have “I Luh Ya Papi” formally replace “The Star Spangled Banner” as the new national anthem of the United States (making progress), Jennifer “J.Lo” Lopez has apparently already moved on with yet another new song off of her upcoming album: “First Love.” (A buzz single? Or a single single? What happened to “Girls”? Or “Same Girl”? No one’s clear. It’s fine.)
The LOVE? diva is at her best when she’s in la-la-love, which is why “First Love” just sounds so right. (See also: “I Luh Ya Papi,” “Love Don’t Cost A Thing,” “If You Had My Love,” “Baby I Love U!”, “One Love”, “Open Off My Love”,” “I Need Love,” and, of course, “I, Love.”)
Produced by Pop God Max Martin and co-penned by Ilya Salmanzadeh and Savan Kotecha (of every One Direction smash, but more importantly Geri Halliwell‘s “Ride It”), the swirly, swoon-y synth-pop thumper doesn’t sound entirely unlike anything off of the RedOne-produced LOVE? — but then, maybe that’s just because of all the LOVE going on.
J.Lo’s finally find the papi that makes her feel right at home — someone who is un-fooled by the rocks that she’s got: “So good, knowing I could just keep it real/T-shirt and jeans/See, you’re makin’ me feel so fly,” J.Lo swoons above warm synth blasts and a loud drum pulse. (Au natural! Having a real Jessica Simpson “With You” moment there, Jenny.)
“I wish you were my first love/’Cause if you were first, baby there would have been no second, third or fourth love!” Jenny proclaims during the hazy chorus, shading all of her famous exes while doing so. (Sorry, Ben.)
The bridge is a treat, offering a slice of that #SomethingMoreUrban Jenny From The Block that we love: “You make me wanna ride again, ’cause I/I wanna hear my name ’cause I.” The best part of the song, though, is obviously the post-chorus backing vocals: “Ooo-OOOH! Ooo-OOH! Ooh-OOH! Oh, oh, OHH-oh!” Disco queen.
Jennifer Lopez’s campaign might be a bit of scattered mish mosh, but I’ve got nothing but J.LOVE for the girl, song after song. (Oh, and she still performs circles around these pop tarts half her age. Jussayin’.)
“First Love” was released on May 1. (iTunes)