The fast flow captures both intimacy and sensuality. Juana Giaimo: In an age when so many artists are turning to R&B, Usher shows that he really knows the genre. Yet the spark is gone - Lxrd Rossi and Pierre Medor’s generically upbeat production doesn’t offer a counterpoint to Usher’s anguish so much as serve as wallpaper, and Usher sounds like he’s recorded this song too many times to really feel it anymore. On “Bad Habits” he revisits a classic Usher songform: the “I fucked up romantically” admission that doubles as a dance track. Jacob Sujin Kuppermann: This year, Usher has proven that he can still do it all - from smooth, retro R&B to EDM crossover. I’m not sure if I want to keep hearing about Usher’s struggles with commitment, though.

Leonel Manzanares de la Rosa: A serviceable melody and a solid vocal from one of the all-time greats, but the prize goes to that prominent synth bass and the drum variations of the bridge, courtesy of Pierre Medor and Lxrd Rossi, who seem to be wearing their 80s hats tight. And the way Usher sings it, you believe every word - or at least, I do. From his silky vocal to the all-too-brief sample of Zapp’s “Computer Love” (the second single from male R&B stars this year to utilize it, after Ne-Yo and Jeremih’s “U 2 Luv”) to those perfectly tinny-sounding 808 accents, this has it all. “Bad Habits” is another entry in his catalog of “I can’t stop messin’ around but I love you” songs, and it’s superlative. Thomas Inskeep: Oh, Usher sounds so good when he’s being bad. Just when we thought he’d said all he could say… Donnie Trumpet & the Social Experiment.I LIE HERE BURIED WITH MY RINGS AND MY DRESSES.Email (song suggestions/writer enquiries).

Bad habits usher