Video: Anderson .Paak, ‘Make It Better’

Zane Roessell on April 5th, 2019

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Since his debut, we’ve come to expect the bombastic antics of Anderson .Paak (think of the ATM fountain, chandelier swinging and multi-arm growing of 2018’s “Bubblin” video), highlighting his meteoric come-up on the music scene. However in the video for “Make It Better” his latest single off his forthcoming fifth album ‘Ventura,” Mr. .Paak shows us the tribulations of long-term romance — what remains after the gilt has worn off and glam goes glum.

Until now we had yet to see .Paak, who’s exploratory sound has expanded the boundaries of R&B, collaborate with a major recording artist of the Motown era. Well, ask and ye shall receive. Enter soul legend Smokey Robinson, whose deft touch on “Make It Better” takes the well-trodden trope of a romance on the ropes and turns it into silky bittersweet bliss. Even in his resignation, “And it’s easier to run away / Than to look for what would make you stay,” .Paak still finds an inflection of confidence — assuring the listener that it’s all going to be all right. Despite its exceedingly tight production, it’s not until “Make It Better’s” .Paak/Robinson harmonies hit, that you realize the machines have been outclassed.

“Ventura” is out April 12 via Aftermath Entertainment.

||| Video: Watch the video to “Make It Better”