2017 has been bleak politically, but musically, it’s been a pretty lit year. TLC — who basically embodied the 90s with their bucket hats, CGI-overloaded music videos, and zero-tolerance policy for scrubs — is keeping on with their return with the release of their first single, “Haters.”
With all the nostalgic bubbliness of early 2000s pop, “Haters” is an upbeat and optimistic song. Chilli and T-Boz sing about the inevitable juggling act females are forced to perform, living in a world where nothing is ever good enough. “Either you’re too big or you’re too small,”Chilli croons in her signature smooth-as-velvet voice. With null mentions of men, unlike “No Scrubs” and “Creep,” and none of the somberness of tracks like “Unpretty” and “Waterfalls,” the self-love song marks a sharp change in lyrical content for the iconic girl group. While there’s been no word on if archived verses from Left Eye will appear on the album or not, T-Boz telling fans Chilli and her were trying their best to organically fit Lopes’ poetic verses into their new material, the late rapper does not appear on the new song.
Giving us a two-for-one special, “Haters” arrived along with the tracklist for TLC’s upcoming self-titled album. Snoop Dogg will make an appearance on a song called “Way Back,” keeping the strong 90s vibes going. The long-awaited details comes two years after TLC launched a Kickstarter, in 2015, to raise funds for the record, surpassing their goal of $150,000 and receiving over $400,000 in donations from fans.
The inspirational “Haters” comes during a time where “positive pop” is reigning king. Katy Perry released “Chained to the Rhythm” earlier this year, performing the political song at the Grammys with the U.S. constitution behind her. And Lady Gaga released the intensely personal and self-reflective Joanne at the tailend of last year, a noticeably new mature and sober sound to the pop singer.
We’re all just trying to make it to 2020 somehow, someway.
Check out the tracklist for TLC’s first album in 14 years below.
1. “No Introduction”
2. “Way Back” feat. Snoop Dogg
3. “It’s Sunny”
4. “Haters”
5. “Perfect Girls”
6. “Interlude”
7. “Start a Fire”
8. “American Gold”
9. “Scandalous”
10. “Aye Muthafucka”
11. “Joy Ride”
12. “Way Back” [Extended Version] feat. Snoop Dogg
Credits
Text André-Naquian Wheeler