There’s something undeniably magnetic about Taylor Jules’ latest single, “Don’t Give a Funk”. As a critic who’s spent more than three decades riding the highs and lows of rock, I’ve seen trends come and go, but funk’s resurgence in this track is as vital as it is invigorating. The song channels a raw, unbridled energy that not only pays homage to the genre’s classic roots but also infuses it with a modern swagger that’s hard to ignore.
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Right off the bat, the groove in “Don’t Give a Funk” is reminiscent of the best of funk’s heyday—tight basslines that slither beneath crisp percussion, and a syncopated rhythm that compels you to move. It’s a sound that feels both timeless and timely, much like the work of today’s funk torchbearers such as Vulfpeck and Anderson .Paak. While those artists have been pushing the boundaries of funk in recent years, Taylor Jules manages to evoke the raw, unpolished spirit of the genre while still embracing a polished modern production.
Marc Swersky’s production here is a masterclass in balance. He’s managed to capture that gritty, analog warmth while allowing the digital sheen of today’s production techniques to shine through. This is funk done right—not overproduced, yet every instrument and vocal is given space to breathe. The bass work is particularly impressive, calling to mind the slinky, memorable lines that once graced the records of Parliament-Funkadelic and later, the modern swagger of Bruno Mars in his more funk-driven moments.
Listening to “Don’t Give a Funk” is like taking a time machine back to the golden era of funk, only to find that the past has been reborn in a way that resonates with today’s audience. It’s a refreshing reminder that the spirit of funk is not dead; if anything, it’s evolving. Alongside contemporaries like Mark Ronson, who have resurrected classic sounds for new audiences, Taylor Jules injects a sense of irreverence and bravado that is both rebellious and reflective. The track’s lyrics, delivered with a bold intensity, underscore a defiant stance against conformity—a sentiment that has always been at the heart of rock and funk alike.
What truly elevates the song, however, is its infectious vitality. There’s a raw energy in every bar, an assurance that the funk is alive and well. Even as modern acts continue to experiment with hybrid sounds, there’s a purity in this track that pays tribute to the genre’s foundational grooves. It’s not merely a nod to the past but a declaration that funk is a living, breathing force in contemporary music.
In “Don’t Give a Funk”, Taylor Jules doesn’t just perform a song; she ignites a movement. It’s an invitation to rebel against the mundane and embrace the dynamism of funk-infused rock—a call that echoes the spirited anthems of today’s modern funk luminaries. For anyone who’s ever felt the weight of a world that insists on conformity, this track offers a liberating reprieve, proving that the unmistakable pulse of funk remains as potent and persuasive as ever.
Mindy McCall
