Usher Glu Review | Raunchiest Song of the Year...So Far.

Ever wondered what Doo-Wop would sound like wit 2023’s audio fidelity? Usher gives us the perfect example with “Glu”, his latest single produced by Lil Jon, Sean Garrett, and the Avila Brothers. The amazing quality that 2023 provides makes this song sonically amazing but with that we also get its utter lack of regard for nuance and subtlety in music. To put it succinctly, if you’ve listened to “Don’t Waste My Time”, “Glu” is what transpires after Usher and Ella leave the party. Without further ado...let’s get to the music!

Be advised, Glu is not music that is appropriate for children even if it's on the radio. Purchase Glu on Amazon

The Verses​

Usher’s falsetto takes center stage as he soulfully details a session of sexual exploration and pleasure. Nothing is left to the imagination here, the lyrical content is explicit and speaks to different sexual positions, climaxing, foreplay, and more. Usher flows over the instrumentation with a vocal melody only a veteran singer like he can do. At some points of the verse you can close your eyes and swear you're listening to Prince.

The Hook​

Raymond’s vocals on the Hook are power and sure to send shivers down your spine. The way he holds onto the word “love” during the hook is intoxicating and soulful. At certain points Usher drops the falsetto which feels like glimpse of the real Usher behind the high pitched singing. Overall, it is very rare to hear such vocal prowess and control in an era dominated with R&B/Rap fusion acts. However, I must say, I don’t know what Glu is and don’t want to know. Call me a prude!

The Instrumentation (Co-Produced by Lil Jon, Sean Garrett, and Avila Brothers)​

The instrumentation has that signature Doo Wop spacing between the kick and snare that gives the vocalist carte blanche with the pen and vocal melody. Producers Lil Jon, Sean Garrett, and the Avila Brothers must have channeled producers of the past because the Doo Wop presence is felt.

From the first listen the old school vibe puts you in a trance and gets you excited for what is to come. The R&B King Usher meshes perfectly with the backing track to make a great artistic pairing.

Parting Thoughts​

Glu is classic love-making music sans the subtlety of yesteryear. Absolutely nothing is left to the imagination which in my opinion robs the song of its creativity. What happened to lines such as:

“When I get next to you, you make my nature rise” - E.U.

We know exactly what he is talking about but it is conveyed in a creative, tasteful and respectable manner. Now I get it, things are clearly different nowadays and each year brings more vulgarity but Glu is a bit too far for a single.

In closing, Glu is an amazing record from a sonic perspective but its explicit content knocks it down a few points for me. Will Glu be added to my playlist? Absolutely not.

I give Usher - Glu a 3 out of 6ZEROS.

But remember, taste in music is subjective so feel free to download it and share your thoughts and tags in the comments below.

Usher - Glu Lyrics​

[Verse 1]
You done made it messy
I guess that means you qualified
How the fuck you choke then don't choke
Then do it both from the side? Hey
Now you laying there breathless
A sign of instant rush
All this licking, girl, your lips going back and forth
Gaped open, back arched, and rude

[Hook]
I just love that glu
That slides down you
Whenever we start touching
It gets all on you, all on me
From fucking
That's when that glu
Done got you

[Verse 2]
Hey, say you never had a challenge
Physical and mind
So tell me does, does that mean that you faked all your orgasms, baby?
Ooh, I'm gon' make sure, absolutely sure
Tonight
All this licking, girl, your lips going back and forth
Gaped open, back arched, and ooh

[Hook]
I just love that glu
That slides down you
Whenever we start touching
It gets all on you, all on me
And we're stuck in
That's when that glu
Done got you, hey

[Verse 3]
You looked at me, told me to tell a lie
Grabbed my neck, put it on my face
Them open lips told me to get inside
Then you told me to come around the other way, ooh
I guess that's how you act when you really want somebody
Don't know how much more that I can take
All this licking your lips, going back and forth
Gaped wide open, arching your back, so rude

[Hook]
I just love that glu
That slides down you
Whenever we start touching
It gets all on you, all on me
From fucking
That's when that glu
Done got you, hey, hey, hey
When it's all on you

It gets all on you, all on me
When I'm stuck in
That's when that glu done got you, hey

Slides down you whenever we...

Usher - Glu Video​