Released October 26, 2015 Recorded 2015 Length 3:45 | Format Digital download Genre Glitch-pop
trap Label Atlantic | |
"Gold" is the debut single by the American singer Kiiara, released as the lead single from her debut extended play (EP) Low Kii Savage (2016) on October 26, 2015. The single was her first top 20 entry on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 13. A remix featuring Lil Wayne was released on November 18, 2016.
Contents
Critical reception
Website "Renowned for Sound" described the song as an "electrifying mix" between Scandinavian electropop and Atlanta trap. Carl Williott of Idolator stated "The Illinois singer sounds a bit like Ellie Goulding crossed with Lorde, and she was wise to pair up with SZA collaborator Felix Snow, who has given the track a nice balance of snappy percussion and warped atmospherics. The most intriguing part, though, would be the chorus. It’s equal parts disorienting and addictive, and the bold choice suggests she knows exactly what she wants to accomplish with this project." Stereogum's Tom Breihan claimed that "[Gold] feels like some fascinating new mutation of bedroom-pop music," and said that it "takes cues from icy R&B and from glitched-out, spacey dance music, but it also has the wide-open heart of a classic pop song."
Billboard ranked "Gold" at number 69 on their on their "Billboard's 100 Best Pop Songs of 2016" commenting “With Lorde (hopefully) still working on her much-anticipated second LP, Kiiara stepped in with the minimalist snap-pop jam of the year -- giving everyone "Royals" flashbacks, right down to the gold teeth. Still, not even Ella Yelich-O'Connor [Lorde] ever boasted a groove or chorus this cold, with the booming simplicity of early Run-DMC and the tech-garbled vocals of prime Art of Noise. ”
Media usage
The song can be heard in the television shows Power, Quantico, Geordie Shore and Riverdale. It was played during the Miss Universe 2016 evening gown competition. It is also on the soundtrack of NBA 2K17.