No, really.
For Willow Smith, four years is a long time. In late 2010, it felt like her career's defining moment had already arrived with the release of the unforgettably annoying "Whip My Hair."
For some, the idea of new music being released by any member of the Smith family causes a kind of intense brain freeze. However, when Willow released a more than competent cover of King Krule's "Easy Easy," ears began to twitch. Now, with "Cares," Smith's evolution is made apparent, and it's great to listen to.
"Cares" is everything that "Whip My Hair" wasn't. The production is less clean cut, the lyrics simple but subtle. The instrumentation, which consists of just a drum and Smith's layered vocals, puts you in mind of some of Warpaint's low key numbers; Smith's use of harmony is on the verge of being just as intelligent as the L.A. band, too.
It helps that Smith's voice appears to have improved immeasurably. In this, she plays the contrast between soft and harsh tones perfectly, almost portraying a kind of split personality within the song. For someone of such a young age, the maturity and variety of tone displayed here is something to take note of, with throwaway riffs glinting at the edges of phrases.
It's certainly not the finished article, and it won't cover all of the magnificent damage caused by "Whip My Hair." However, all the signs are extremely promising; it's very easy to forget that Smith is still only 14 years old. With an EP out, there's more to explore, and a lot to suggest that Willow Smith could very well become an indie star of the future.
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