The other day on the BQE, while “Teddy’s Jam” off Guy’s immortal debut rattled out of my car speakers, my sister hit me with her criticism of Justin Bieber’s new album, SWAG. “If you’re gonna name your album that, I want it to make me want to dance like this song does,” she said, as she scrolled her phone. That was my cue to introduce her to “New Jack Story,” Corey Lingo’s pluggnb-infused take on new jack swing. At first she was sort of confused why a current R&B singer was leaning into a style that has been out of vogue for at least 30 years, but eventually she was bobbing in her seat.
I pretty much had the same reaction when I first heard “New Jack Story,” off Corey’s new mixtape Safe 2 Say, a mixture of Scream Tour begging, Love/Hate bounce, Camp Rock pop, teen Chris Brown balladry, and the synthesized pluggnb sing-rap he’s been pumping out for years. It’s hit-or-miss, but “New Jack Story” is a hit. Like a one-man boy band, Corey’s got the passionately sung hook, the sticky background harmonies, and a longing outro that goes on for too long. Even the beat, by plugg descendant XanGang, has that upbeat drum machine kick and soulful groove that makes it feel like you’re in a romantic dance battle in House Party. What updates the sound beyond straight pastiche is Corey’s softly showy yet processed vocals; even if you’re not familiar with Corey Lingo or the BeatPluggz lore, you can tell he’s heard as much Ralph Tresvant as Skooly. Maybe he should be the next one to give Bieber a starter pack.
