Iggy Azalea has had a bumpy year-and-a-half, and it's likely that the Australian rapper has learned the only person she can truly depend on is herself. After weeks of buildup, on Friday (March 18), Azalea finally released her new single "Team," the lead track off her forthcoming sophomore album Digital Distortion.
Azalea's sense of independence is emphasized in the pre-chorus and chorus. You see, her "Team" is just herself. "Baby I got me / And that's all I need / Yeah that's all I need / Baby I got me / Only friend I need / Playing on my team / Is someone like... / Me, baby, no way / Watch me while I do my thing / Oh, baby, no way / Are you f*cking with the team?" she sings in the hook. It's an honest sort of statement coming from Azalea, especially if you think about her position as a bit of a pariah in the pop world.
And yes, unlike her biggest hits ("Fancy," "Black Widow"), there's no featured artist on "Team." Azalea takes over singing duties on the track. While her vocals sound largely strained, someone on Azalea's crew knows how to make a hook infectious, and "Team" has a pretty sizzling earworm quality to it.
As far as the rapping portions, it's classic Azalea. Her sense of flow and the snarky quality in her voice has not gone away, and her cadence is stomping.
So, is "Team" the big comeback single that Azalea needs to resurrect her career? It certainly shows a new sense of independence for her, both lyrically and by releasing a single where she's the only star, and the hook is undeniable. But there's so much hate out for Azalea in the world, it's going to be hard for her to overcome, especially with a song that doesn't quite feel like an instant classic.
"Team" is the lead single from Iggy Azalea's second studio album Digital Distortion, which is due for release later this year.
