Beck Releases New Single

Albums-wise, Beck Hansen operates in two general modes: mellow (Sea Change, Morning Phase) and bangers (Guero, The Information). “Wow” serves as a preview of a yet-untitled October 21 collection that supposedly falls in the latter: that virtuoso blend of alt-rock, hip-hop, country, soul, and retro he perfected back in 1996 with his tour de force, Odelay. Unfortunately, “Wow” pales compared to recent one-offs such as the LCD Soundsystem–biting “Time Bomb” and last year’s catchy-AF “Dreams.” This echo-y, almost jokey, slow-burning, electro-pop party anthem is not terrible per se, but it never quite ignites. Tragically, the repeated phrase “giddy up” evokes Kramer from Seinfeld (and not in a good way). Beck phrases it best: “It’s irrelevant / elephant in the room goes boom.”