Savage Skulls and Douster ft. Robyn "Bad Gal"

Savage Skulls and Douster ft. Robyn "Bad Gal"

Music Video Review

By our guest blogger, Nick Hanover

Mad Decent's track record at the moment is pretty damn impeccable. Diplo's label has been a nonstop party of global cross pollination and the Savage Skulls/Douster collaboration has been no exception. On "Bad Gal," the production duo and the production maestro join forces to make an absolute monster of a club hit for icy diva Robyn, featuring a New Order-cribbing beat with tropical house flourishes and some brilliantly minimal synths keeping things rugged on the low and high ends.

The video for "Bad Gal" is typical for Mad Decent, a high-minded pastiche of Euro chase films of the '60s with some coy looks and moves from Robyn and stiff aloofness from the boys. It suits the song perfectly well just because it's so absent mindedly cool that you can't help but be jealous, overly aware of your own personal borders and lack of high pursuits.  But then that bassline hits and the vocal hooks come caving in--and you forget about that.

The minimalism of the track is its secret asset, as the dominant synth bass and the chirping leads that come later each have plenty of room to breathe even as the beat pounds your chest. Unlike Major Lazer and their kitchen sink approach, Savage Skulls and Douster are a shining beacon of restraint on "Bad Gal," which gives Robyn all the room she needs to make her vocals tear you to shreds.

Mad Decent's blog describe Robyn's lines as "lady friendly lyrics," but that isn't exactly right. The truth is that Robyn really doesn't give a damn what you think because she's already well aware of how on top of it all she is and her only regret is that she's "lonely at the top." The "uh ohs" that she sprinkles throughout are more like a declaration of how much crap she's kicking.

Don't believe me? Then just throw this down at the next party you host and see who isn't entranced.

View the video below. What are your thoughts?