It’s Either On Or Off

Erykah Badu featuring Andre 3000 “Hello”

Andre 3000 performances are so rare now that even something inconsequential or phoned-in can seem precious, but this duet with his ex Erykah Badu is lovely and clever and emotionally nuanced and really, one of the best tracks of his career. This song, a version of The Isley Brothers’ version of a Todd Rundgren tune, has them both reckoning with what their relationship has been and what it is today, and cherishing the deep connection they have without forgetting a lot of their complicated history. It’s a very adult song, and something uniquely suited to Andre’s deft blend of wit and unguarded emotion. The humor is really crucial to getting across the deeper feelings here, and so is the use of in-jokes and pet names. This is a song about communication between two very close people; we’re just listening in.

Get it from Apple Music.