Love and War (Banks & Steelz song)

"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"
Single by Banks & Steelz featuring Ghostface Killah
from the album Anything But Words
ReleasedMay 19, 2016 (2016-05-19)
Recorded2013–15 in New York, New York
Genre
Length4:09
LabelWarner Bros.
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Banks & Steelz singles chronology
"Love and War"
(2016)
"Giant"
(2016)

Composition

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"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

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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

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Digital download
No.TitleLength
1."Love and War"4:09

Personnel

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Personnel adapted from AllMusic.[10]

Release history

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Region Date Label Format
Worldwide May 19, 2016 Warner Bros. Digital download

References

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  1. ^ Lowe, Zane (May 19, 2016). "World First: Banks & Steelz feat. Ghostface Killah – "Love & War"". Apple Music. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  2. ^ Phillips, Amy (May 18, 2016). "Interpol's Paul Banks and Wu-Tang's RZA Are Banks and Steelz". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ Welsh, April Clare (May 20, 2016). "Banks and Steelz debut 'Love & War' track feat Ghostface Killah". Fact. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Udoh, Meka (May 23, 2016). "Banks & Steelz - "Love + War" f. Ghostface Killah (Video)". 2DOPEBOYZ. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  8. ^ Murphy, Sarah (May 20, 2016). "Banks & Steelz "Love + War" (ft. Ghostface Killah) (video)". Exclaim!. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  9. ^ a b Breihan, Tom (May 20, 2016). "Banks & Steelz – "Love + War" (Feat. Ghostface Killah) (Video)". Stereogum. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
  10. ^ "Love & War – Banks & Steelz : Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved July 8, 2016.