You can call her “that bitch,” but don’t just take my word for it — Banks says so herself on “Gimme,” her first single in almost two years. Presumably the first taste of the singer’s upcoming third album, III, the song is a notable progression in all areas of her artistry. With assertive lyrics over an equally aggressive mixture of glitch and pop soundscapes that recall the production of Timbaland, she sounds nothing like she has in the past; sure, she’s always been a confident writer and used experimental backdrops in her music, but never has Banks sounded so ready to take what is rightfully hers.
Pitched vocals deliver “Gimme” to listeners, providing them no time to ease into the track, which is exactly how the singer likes it. She enters into a sensual first verse, creating one of the most graphic auditory visuals of 2019 with the line “I let you lick it from the ground, ground/’cause I’ve been drippin’ for your love.” Moving through the song, the singer continues to dictate what her partner needs to do to please her — a welcomed flip of the male gaze that men are allowed to utilize in their own music — before letting them know that they are more to her than a sentient sex toy. As “Gimme” dissolves into the pitched garble of its outro, it’s clear that Banks is “that bitch” she’s been telling us she was all along.
Rating: 4/5