Acapella

"Acapella" is a song by American singer Kelis from her fifth studio album, Flesh Tone (2010). The song is a departure from her past singles in that it is a dance/electronic track rather than hip hop/R&B-oriented. The song was first premiered on her Twitter page and her official website in November 2009, and was released on February 23, 2010, as the lead single from the album. The song's co-writer Makeba Riddick revealed that the song had previously been called "Majestic". Kelis stated that she wrote the song "with love and life in my mind" and as a tribute to her son, Knight. It has received positive reviews from critics many of whom praise the song for its inspirational lyrics and for its uptempo feel-good vibe which includes angelic harmonies. The song was listed at number 20 on the NMEs best tracks of 2010; they described it as "her most thrilling tune since 'Milkshake'". Reception The single received universally positive reviews. Pitchfork Media gave the song a positive review, rating the track an 8 [out of a possible 10] and saying: "'Acapella' is a smooth, Donna Summer-style track with Kelis as an icy electro queen, a robotic embrace of house's metronomic bliss." About.com's "Dance Music" section reviewed the track favorably, calling the song "majestic" and named it its "Song of the Day". Entertainment Weekly called the song a "feathery dance-floor delight" and placed the song on its "The MustList" for 2010 whilst Billboard magazine added the song to its 2010's "Best Bits" listing. NME magazine also loved the song calling it "the most thrilling tune since "Milkshake" whilst Heat said the "banger" deserves four stars. Nick Levine of Digital Spy was more than impressed by the song. He said "Will.i.am's been a busy boy lately, but what's the best thing he's done for us – the new Usher single ['OMG']? Nah. 'Meet Me Halfway'? Hmm... maybe. Signing Kelis... Bingo! We say this because 'Acapella' is quite possibly the most sublime slice of club pop we'll hear all year. Over tub-thumping beats ... Kelis delivers a heartfelt tribute to her baby son, Knight. 'Before you my whole life was acapella', she gushes on the near-hymnal chorus, 'Now a symphony is the only song to sing'.