Lisa’s Alter Ego album has utilized a Western pop promotional roll-out, spawning new singles/music videos long after its release. Next Up is When I’m With You, a duet with South African singer Tyla. This feels like a natural pairing: two extremely charismatic artists “maximizing their joint slay,” as they say. Such a big collaboration deserves a song that lives up to the hype. When I’m With You is nice, but hardly a discography highlight for either performer.
The song does a good job pulling equally from both Lisa and Tyla’s oeuvre. The instrumental melds Afrobeats rhythms with American R&B touchstones and offers fertile ground for a rapped Lisa verse. Melodically, When I’m With You is soft and vibes-driven. The chorus simply repeats the title several times over, coasting along the groove with an easiness that’s quite pleasing. I also like how its structure plays as a real duet, with both Lisa and Tyla trading lines in a way that feels natural and engaging.
Ultimately, When I’m With You is too slight to get excited over, but if you’re looking for a more subdued addition to a summertime playlist this does a nice job setting the tone. I could certainly hear it becoming a radio hit, as it strikes a nice balance between trendy and timeless.
Hooks
8
Production
8
Longevity
8
Bias
8
RATING
8