Shamir: "On the Regular"

Origin story, in two lines: “Ever since I was eight, I was attached to the mic/ Wanted a guitar before I wanted a bike.” Young Shamir Bailey explains it all in “On the Regular”, his first song since releasing the Northtown debut EP earlier this year and signing with XL shortly thereafter. Over cowbell and rude synths, Shamir brags about his style and lusts for butts while beaming adorkably in the accompanying video, where each boast and jibe comes with its own color or childhood toy.

The hypnotic rhythm is briefly interrupted at the bridge, as he switches from smart-aleck spaz to angelic soul in order to wail at his haters. In the video, Shamir morphs into the soft-focus Starchild and stoically poses with a baseball bat while a disco ball spins to the side, lest you think he’s being self-serious. It’s enough to make you shed a single, appreciative tear. Then, the rhythm snaps back as the infectious vibe completes its takeover, making the point: This is Shamir, and now we know.

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