If you’re looking to escape the shallow pool of overproduced modern music, you might want to steer clear of "Love U Better" by Ty Dolla $ign featuring Lil Wayne and The-Dream. Released in August 2017 as the lead single from his album 'Beach House 3', this song was recorded as a smooth blend of R&B and hip-hop. But let’s face it, this track does little more than paint a pretty picture on top of a rocky foundation. Why? Because it reflects what's wrong with the perpetual degradation of art and relationships in today's culture, all wrapped up in a catchy melody that glues listeners to its superficial charm.
First, let's consider the trio delivering this message. Ty Dolla $ign is known for his versatile musical talents, sure, but just because you can play a lot of instruments doesn't mean your content resonates with deeper meaning. Lil Wayne? He's got clout, but his involvement often adds gimmicky star power rather than genuine depth. The-Dream? A commendable songwriter, indeed, but was this the dream collaboration we all hoped for? The magic simply isn’t there, and it doesn't take a musical genius to hear it.
At its core, "Love U Better" is about regret in relationships, the desire to step up your game, and the quest for giving and receiving better love—a narrative that should ideally resonate. However, the execution is marred by the glaring disconnect between intention and action. The song paints a picture of romantic redemption, but the real question is: what kind of love are we aspiring to? Trying to outdo each other in a romance contest is as shallow as it sounds.
Instead of celebrating enduring love or meaningful connections, the track emphasizes turning over a new leaf once the relationship is broken. Haven't we seen this plot a thousand times before, where either a guy plays the reformed romantic or a girl takes a chance on an unreliable partner? It's a tired trope, and one that doesn't inspire progress or personal responsibility. Relationships in music seem more like a game where everyone loses.
Moreover, the music video doesn’t do the track any favors. The juxtaposition of luxury cars, opulent parties, and glamorous women paints the misleading picture that love is something material and ostentatious. Does this really suggest any notion of genuine affection? Or is it just another ploy to attract the attention of impressionable audiences? This is the exact type of portrayal that warps the social fabric, rendering meaningful love a mere background noise.
While critics might rattle off about the song’s sultry groove or smooth lyrics, it’s hard to ignore the glaring superficiality masked by autotune and a catchy chorus. This song is less about resting on the laurels of rhythmic pleasantries and more about confronting the disillusionment that comes with music that promises big and delivers small. Love, like art, shouldn’t be transactional nor purely aesthetic, yet it seems we’re content electing it on the premise of raw commercial appeal over substantive value.
Yet, in an attempt to rewrite this narrative, they’ve achieved nothing more than adding an undue spotlight to the very things wrong with modern relationships. We should be encouraging our partners to strive for genuine connection and value. "Love U Better", on the other hand, seems to be missing the memo, focused instead on tweaking pop culture's obsession with materialism and temporary fixes.
Could this song be the anthem of a generation? Hopefully not. It should prompt us to demand more from the artists and music we support. We ought to champion art that boosts our understanding and appreciation of human connection, not just the kind with a catchy beat that passes through the empty corridors of our minds.
Undoubtedly, many listeners will bob their heads to this superficial track without questioning its lack of substance. But just because something trends doesn't make it good. Progress in art and connection involves pushing past what's popular and digging into what's meaningful. We deserve "love you better" material, especially in an era where commitment seems half-hearted, or worse, an afterthought.