"Boys" is a song by American singer Sky Ferreira for her debut studio album, Night Time, My Time (2013). It was released on March 1, 2014, by Capitol Records as a free digital download from the album preceding its launch in the United Kingdom. It was written by Ferreira, Ariel Rechtshaid, and Justin Raisen, while it was produced by Rechtshaid and co-produced by Raisen. "Boys" is a pop, grunge, and new wave song that discusses Ferreira's happiness in having found her ideal boyfriend. The track received generally favorable reviews from contemporary music critics, who complimented its overall production.
"Boys" | |
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Promotional single by Sky Ferreira | |
from the album Night Time, My Time | |
Released | March 1, 2014 |
Studio | Heavy Duty (Los Angeles, California) |
Genre | |
Length | 4:40 |
Label | Capitol |
Songwriter(s) |
|
Producer(s) | Ariel Rechtshaid |
Background and composition
editIn February 2014, it was reported that "Boys" would be serviced as the second single from Night Time, My Time, following its lead single "You're Not the One" which premiered in September 2013.[1] Ferreira clarified via Twitter that the track would not serve as the album's official second single,[2] and it was ultimately released as a free promotional digital download in the United Kingdom on March 1, 2014, preceding the launch of Night Time, My Time in the country.[3] Its single cover depicts an orange-tinted close-up of Ferreira, placed in front of a water-textured background.[1]
"Boys" appears as the opening track on Night Time, My Time with a duration of four minutes and forty seconds,[4] although it is shortened by two seconds on its individual release.[3] Jacques Peterson from Popdust recognized grunge and new wave music elements within "Boys",[5] while Mike Wass from Idolator described the track as a "guitar-pop tune".[1] Annie Zaleski from The A.V. Club stated that its lyrical content sees Ferreira "optimistic about love" after having found her ideal boyfriend.[6]
Critical reception
edit"Boys" received generally favorable reviews from contemporary music critics. Writing for AllMusic, Heather Phares highlighted the song as one of three stand-out tracks from the record.[7] Carrie Battan from Pitchfork joked that while Ferreira sounds "glum" in several points throughout the album, she "isn't afraid to address [the men in her life] in a purposefully grade-school tone" with the lyrics "Boys, they're a dime a dozen / Boys, they just make me mad".[8] Elias Leight from PopMatters enjoyed the incorporation of "ringing blasts of guitar, played on buzz-saw setting", and shared a similar sentiment with Battan in regards to its lyrical content.[9] Jordan Sargent from Spin complimented "Boys" for blending the "giddiness" of the optimistic lyrics "You put my faith back in boys" with an "electric pulse", which he credited to the "mental and physical exhaustion" Ferreira experienced in asserting her creative input during the production of the record.[10]
Track listing
editNo. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Boys" |
| 4:38 |
Credits and personnel
editCredits adapted from the liner notes of Night Time, My Time.[11]
Recording
edit- Recorded at Heavy Duty Studios (Los Angeles, California)
- Mastered at The Lodge (New York City)
Personnel
edit- Sky Ferreira – vocals
- Ariel Rechtshaid – production, recording, organ, guitar, programming
- Justin Raisen – co-production, recording, synths, guitar, programming
- David Schiffman – mixing
- Chris Kasych – Pro Tools engineering
- Mark Santangelo – Pro Tools engineering assistance
- Emily Lazar – mastering
- Rich Morales – mastering assistance
Release history
editRegion | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | March 1, 2014 | Digital download | Capitol | [3] |
References
edit- ^ a b c Wass, Mike (February 26, 2014). "Sky Ferreira Taps "Boys" As The Next Single From 'Night Time, My Time'". Idolator. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- ^ Ferreira, Sky [@skyferreira] (February 25, 2014). "Boys is NOT the official 2nd single" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 15, 2014. Retrieved March 8, 2014 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c d "Boys: Sky Ferreira". Amazon. United Kingdom. Archived from the original on March 22, 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- ^ "Night Time, My Time by Sky Ferreira". iTunes Store. United States. January 2013. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- ^ Peterson, Jacques (February 24, 2014). "Sky Ferreira Selects 'Boys' As Her Next Official Single". Popdust. Retrieved February 20, 2021.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Zaleski, Annie (October 29, 2013). "Sky Ferreira: Night Time, My Time". The A.V. Club. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ Phares, Heather. "Night Time, My Time – Sky Ferreira". AllMusic. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- ^ Battan, Carrie (October 29, 2013). "Sky Ferreira: Night Time, My Time". Pitchfork. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- ^ Leight, Elias (November 19, 2013). "Sky Ferreira: Night Time, My Time". PopMatters. Retrieved February 20, 2021.
- ^ Sargent, Jordan (November 1, 2013). "Sky Ferreira, 'Night Time, My Time' Review". Spin. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- ^ Night Time, My Time (liner notes). Sky Ferreira. Capitol Records. 2013. B001872402.
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