"Love and War" (stylized as "Love + War") is the debut single by Banks & Steelz, a collaborative project created by Interpol frontman Paul Banks and Wu-Tang Clan member RZA. Featuring a rap verse from fellow Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, it was premiered on the Apple Music radio station Beats 1 on May 19, 2016.[1][2] It was subsequently released as a digital download, acting as the lead single from their debut studio album, Anything But Words (2016). A music video for the song, which pays tribute to the film Reservoir Dogs, was also released on May 20.
| "Love and War" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Banks & Steelz featuring Ghostface Killah | ||||
| from the album Anything But Words | ||||
| Released | May 19, 2016 | |||
| Recorded | 2013–15 in New York, New York | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 4:09 | |||
| Label | Warner Bros. | |||
| Songwriter(s) | ||||
| Producer(s) |
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| Banks & Steelz singles chronology | ||||
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Composition edit
"Love and War" is a rock-influenced hip hop song.[3] It features rap verses from RZA and Ghostface Killah as well as a sung chorus done by Paul Banks, where he repeats "All is fair in love and war / What you keeping score for" throughout. April Clare Welsh of Fact stated that the song is built around "shuffling grooves, driving guitar and Mariachi-style trumpet."[4]
Music video edit
The music video for the "Love and War" was released on the duo's YouTube channel on May 20, 2016. Directed by director group Arms Race, the video is a tribute to an iconic torture scene from the 1992 Quentin Tarantino-directed film Reservoir Dogs.[5][6][7] The video has been described as "grisly" by Sarah Murphy of Exclaim!.[8] Tom Breihan of Stereogum described the video, saying that it "starts out as a yakuza torture scene, and it takes some unexpected turns."[9] Banks and RZA also appear in the video as hired guns; RZA shares "Tarantino-esque" dialogue with Banks, who remains mute during the video.[9] RZA had worked with Tarantino in the past; he worked on the soundtrack for his Kill Bill series.[5]
Track listing edit
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Love and War" | 4:09 |
Personnel edit
Personnel adapted from AllMusic.[10]
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Release history edit
| Region | Date | Label | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | May 19, 2016 | Warner Bros. | Digital download |
References edit
- ^ Lowe, Zane (May 19, 2016). "World First: Banks & Steelz feat. Ghostface Killah – "Love & War"". Apple Music. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
- ^ Phillips, Amy (May 18, 2016). "Interpol's Paul Banks and Wu-Tang's RZA Are Banks and Steelz". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
- ^ Kim, Ashleigh (May 19, 2016). "RZA & Paul Banks of Interpol Debut Their First Song Together as "Banks & Steelz" With Ghostface Killah". Hypebeast. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Welsh, April Clare (May 20, 2016). "Banks and Steelz debut 'Love & War' track feat Ghostface Killah". Fact. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ a b Pearce, Sheldon (May 20, 2016). "RZA and Interpol's Paul Banks Pay Tribute to Reservoir Dogs in "Love + War" Video". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Geslani, Michelle (May 19, 2016). "Interpol's Paul Banks and RZA form Banks & Steelz, share debut song "Love + War" — listen". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Udoh, Meka (May 23, 2016). "Banks & Steelz - "Love + War" f. Ghostface Killah (Video)". 2DOPEBOYZ. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ Murphy, Sarah (May 20, 2016). "Banks & Steelz "Love + War" (ft. Ghostface Killah) (video)". Exclaim!. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ a b Breihan, Tom (May 20, 2016). "Banks & Steelz – "Love + War" (Feat. Ghostface Killah) (Video)". Stereogum. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ "Love & War – Banks & Steelz : Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved July 8, 2016.