"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
editThe 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
editPersonnel 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.