Angel (Fifth Harmony song) explained

Angel
Type:promotional single
Artist:Fifth Harmony
Album:Fifth Harmony
Length:[1]
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:Down
Prev Year:2017
"Angel"
Year:2017
Next Title:He Like That
Next Year:2017

"Angel" is a song recorded by American group Fifth Harmony for their self-titled third studio album (2017). The song was written and produced by Skrillex and Poo Bear. It was released as the first promotional single from the record on August 10, 2017.[2]

Composition

"Angel" was described by Mike Wass from Idolator writing that it finds the group veering "deep into hip hop territory."[3] Its production is supported by heavy bassline,[2] [4] drum machine sound, "squiggly synths"[3] and distorted vocal samples.[5] The song is about being in a relationship based on unrealistic expectations.[4] As MTV News's writer Madeline Roth commented, the group are "warning that they have no problem shrugging off a fuckboy if it needs to be."[6] The group delivers a half-rapped performance on the first and second verses of the song,[5] while in the chorus, they raise a rhetorical question: "When you look at me, what do you see? / Open your eyes, I’m more brilliant than you’ll ever be / Who said I was an angel?”[6] [7] The group continue to ask the same question throughout the record, as Rachael Ellenbogen from International Business Times commented.[8]

Critical reception

Sadie Bell from Billboard considered "Angel" as a "different direction" for the group describing it as "a bit harder than their more recent releases."[2] Madeline Roth of MTV News praised its production and felt that "Angel" is "less poppier" than Fifth Harmony's previous single “Down", providing a "harder backdrop for their brassiness."[6]

Music video

The song's official music video was released on August 11, 2017 and directed by David Camarena. The clip opens in a dimly lit setting, featuring a man who's been dreaming, then it features the group in an entirely new light, in which they are revealed to be the subject of the man's dream, tormenting those of someone who has wronged them, complete with flashing images and dark VCR filters and neon lighting aesthetics.

Charts

Chart (2017)Peak
position
New Zealand Heatseekers (RMNZ)[9] 4
Philippines (Philippine Hot 100)[10] 100

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Angel (Fifth Harmony) - Single. iTunes (US).
  2. Fifth Harmony Shares 'Angel,' the Second Single From Their Upcoming New Album. August 10, 2017. Billboard. August 10, 2017.
  3. Web site: Fifth Harmony Veers Into Slinky Hip-Hop On "Angel". Idolator. August 10, 2017. August 11, 2017.
  4. Hear Fifth Harmony's Assertive, Skrillex-Produced New Song 'Angel'. August 10, 2017. Rolling Stone. August 11, 2017. September 13, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170913033414/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-fifth-harmonys-skrillex-produced-new-song-angel-w497168. dead.
  5. Fifth Harmony – "Angel". Spin. August 10, 2017. August 11, 2017.
  6. Web site: Fifth Harmony Channel Their Devilish Side On New Song 'Angel'. https://web.archive.org/web/20170811222500/http://www.mtv.com/news/3029876/fifth-harmony-angel/. dead. August 11, 2017. MTV. August 10, 2017. August 11, 2017.
  7. Web site: New Music: Fifth Harmony - 'Angel'. August 10, 2017. August 11, 2017.
  8. News: Fifth Harmony's Vocals Prove Why Their New R&B-Tinged Track Is Called 'Angel'. International Business Times. August 10, 2017. August 11, 2017.
  9. Web site: NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. August 21, 2017. August 18, 2017.
  10. Web site: BillboardPH Hot 100. Billboard Philippines. September 4, 2017. September 4, 2017.