Evil Twin (song)
{{Short description|2019 song by Meghan Trainor}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Evil Twin
| cover = Meghan Trainor - Evil Twin.png
| alt =
| type = promo
| artist = Meghan Trainor
| album = Treat Myself
| released = {{Start date|2019|12|13}}
| format =
| recorded = 2017
| studio =
| genre = Electropop
| length = 3:12
| label =
| writer =
- Meghan Trainor
- Joshua Kear
- Ethan Snoreck
- Tyler Johnson
| producer =
- Tyler Johnson
- Andrew Wells
}}
"Evil Twin" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor for her third major-label studio album Treat Myself (2020). It was written by Trainor, Joshua Kear, Ethan Snoreck and Tyler Johnson, and produced by Johnson and Andrew Wells. The track was released on December 13, 2019, as the third promotional single from the album. Backed by electropop production, the '60s-inspired song has lyrics about the wild side of Trainor, that makes bad decisions on her part. "Evil Twin" received critical acclaim upon release, with some critics highlighting it as a standout track on Treat Myself and praising its bold lyrics and disco-influenced production.
Background
On February 7, 2018, Meghan Trainor tweeted that her new favorite song on her upcoming third major-label studio album was "Evil Twin".{{cite tweet|author=Trainor, Meghan|author-link=Meghan Trainor|user=Meghan_Trainor|number=961278439742255104|title=Album 3 update: new favorite song now is #EvilTwin|date=February 7, 2018|access-date=April 16, 2020}} The next day, she described the track in an interview with Entertainment Tonight by saying "why did I say that? That is my evil twin, that wasn't me! I am innocent!" According to her, it is about "all those things [people] think about to [themselves]", and everyone has an "evil twin" in them.{{cite web |last=Drysdale |first=Jennifer |title=Meghan Trainor Dishes on Her Wedding -- and Whether Diddy and DJ Khaled Will Perform |url=https://www.etonline.com/meghan-trainor-dishes-on-her-wedding-and-whether-diddy-and-dj-khaled-will-perform-exclusive-96131 |website=Entertainment Tonight |access-date=April 16, 2020 |date=February 9, 2018}} Trainor delayed the August 2018-scheduled album, Treat Myself, to January 25, 2019, because she wanted to add more songs to it, though it was not released on that date either.{{cite web |last=Nied |first=Mike |title=Change Of Plans: Meghan Trainor Announces 'The Love Train' EP |url=https://www.idolator.com/7694567/meghan-trainor-announces-the-love-train-ep |website=Idolator|date=February 4, 2019|access-date=April 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190205122510/http://www.idolator.com/7694567/meghan-trainor-announces-the-love-train-ep |archive-date=February 5, 2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}
She confirmed the upcoming release of "Evil Twin", on Twitter, on December 9, 2019. Trainor revealed the single artwork and wrote, "You've waited long enough.. #EVILTWIN comes out Friday 😎 listen for my entire family on the backgrounds!" The song was released as a promotional single on December 13.{{Cite magazine|last=Aniftos|first=Rania|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8546295/meghan-trainor-evil-twin-listen|title=Meghan Trainor Blames Her 'Evil Twin' for the Bad Decisions in Sparkly New Single|magazine=Billboard|date=December 13, 2019|access-date=February 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191215164553/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8546295/meghan-trainor-evil-twin-listen|archive-date=December 15, 2019|url-status=live}} The artwork features side-by-side photographs of Trainor. Billboard described them as "fierce" and "terrified", and ABC News Radio called them "sassy" and "scared".{{Cite magazine|last=Mamo|first=Heran|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8545885/meghan-trainor-evil-twin-single-friday-the-13th|title=Uh-Oh, Meghan Trainor & Her 'Evil Twin' Are Dropping a New Single|magazine=Billboard|date=December 10, 2019|access-date=February 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213132811/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8545885/meghan-trainor-evil-twin-single-friday-the-13th|archive-date=December 13, 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Meghan Trainor blames 'Evil Twin' for her bad decisions on new track |url=http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2019/12/13/meghan-trainor-blames-evil-twin-for-her-bad-decisions-on-new.html |publisher=ABC News Radio |access-date=February 5, 2020 |date=December 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205160102/http://abcnewsradioonline.com/music-news/2019/12/13/meghan-trainor-blames-evil-twin-for-her-bad-decisions-on-new.html |archive-date=February 5, 2020 |url-status=live }}
Trainor stated in a January 2020 interview that Treat Myself will be an attempt to make a pop record that feels relevant in an era when hip-hop reigns, adding that she had written four albums worth of material trying to adapt to new trends in the music industry.{{cite magazine |last=Feeney |first=Nolan |title=Pop Music Is Changing, So Meghan Trainor Did Too |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8547749/meghan-trainor-new-album-treat-myself-interview |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 16, 2020 |date=January 14, 2020}} On January 22, she unveiled the tracklist for the album, which included "Evil Twin" as the 11th track on it. Thus, it made the final cut for Treat Myself.{{cite magazine |last=Mamo |first=Heran |title=Meghan Trainor Unveils 'Treat Myself' Track List, Including Pussycat Dolls Collaboration |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/8548704/meghan-trainor-treat-myself-track-list-pcd |magazine=Billboard |access-date=April 16, 2020 |date=January 22, 2020}}
Composition
{{multiple image
| align = right
| total_width = 300
| image1 = Whethan SXSW.jpg
| image2 = Tyler Johnson musician.jpg
| footer = Co-writers Ethan Snoreck, better known by his stage name Whethan (left), and Tyler Johnson (right)
}}
"Evil Twin" was written by Trainor, Joshua Kear, Ethan Snoreck and Tyler Johnson, and produced by Johnson and Andrew Wells. Trainor's family members are featured on backing vocals.{{Cite web|url=https://etcanada.com/news/557518/meghan-trainor-debuts-new-song-evil-twin/|title=Meghan Trainor Debuts New Song 'Evil Twin'|last=Samhan|first=Jamie|date=December 13, 2019|website=Entertainment Tonight Canada|access-date=February 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200105010038/https://etcanada.com/news/557518/meghan-trainor-debuts-new-song-evil-twin/|archive-date=January 5, 2020|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|last=Nied|first=Mike|url=https://www.idolator.com/7904277/meghan-trainor-introduces-her-evil-twin-on-rollicking-new-single|title=Meghan Trainor Introduces Her 'Evil Twin' On Rollicking New Single|date=December 13, 2019|website=Idolator|access-date=February 5, 2020}}
Hannah Mylrea of NME described the song as "a cloying cut of electronic pop that sees Trainor try to distance herself from the sides of her that she doesn't like, blaming her indiscretions on her evil twin".{{Cite web|last=Mylrea|first=Hannah|url=https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/meghan-trainor-treat-myself-review-2603850|title=Meghan Trainor – 'Treat Myself' review|date=February 3, 2020|website=NME|access-date=February 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203222851/https://www.nme.com/reviews/album/meghan-trainor-treat-myself-review-2603850|archive-date=February 3, 2020|url-status=live}} Pitchfork{{'s}} Dani Blum called the song "an apology from Trainor for the 'crazy bitch' side of her, which makes her 'make my bad decisions, but I'm innocent.{{'"}}{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/meghan-trainor-treat-myself/|title=Meghan Trainor: Treat Myself|website=Pitchfork|last=Blum|first=Dani|language=en|date=February 6, 2020|access-date=February 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206073506/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/meghan-trainor-treat-myself/|archive-date=February 6, 2020|url-status=live}} Lyrically, Trainor "apologizes for — and embraces — her wild side, or her 'evil twin{{'"}}, according to Rolling Stone{{'s}} Claire Shaffer.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/meghan-trainor-evil-twin-926660/|title=Meghan Trainor Embraces Her Wild Side in 'Evil Twin'|last=Shaffer|first=Claire|date=December 13, 2019|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=February 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231152845/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/meghan-trainor-evil-twin-926660/|archive-date=December 31, 2019|url-status=live}} Mark Kennedy of the Associated Press described "Evil Twin" as a {{"'}}60s-inspired tune".{{Cite web|last=Kennedy|first=Mark|url=https://apnews.com/2b8ec069c4817c208ca341dc55cb9236|title=Meghan Trainor leaves pain behind and offers fresh new music|date=January 29, 2020|website=Associated Press|access-date=February 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203222851/https://apnews.com/2b8ec069c4817c208ca341dc55cb9236|archive-date=February 3, 2020|url-status=live}}
Critical reception
Libby Schilz of The Daily Nebraskan wrote, {{"'}}Evil Twin' is a perfect example of [Trainor's] boldness, as she sheds light on her insecurities about bad decisions to the point of personifying them", and said Trainor "puts a humorous spin on these insecurities while showing her annoyance for her inability to overcome them".{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailynebraskan.com/culture/review-meghan-trainor-s-treat-myself-filled-with-self-love/article_c2ad7718-47b3-11ea-bbb7-abd7b9213e7d.html|title=REVIEW: Meghan Trainor's 'Treat Myself' filled with self-love and sass|last=Schilz|first=Libby|website=The Daily Nebraskan|language=en|date=February 5, 2020|access-date=February 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205152424/http://www.dailynebraskan.com/culture/review-meghan-trainor-s-treat-myself-filled-with-self-love/article_c2ad7718-47b3-11ea-bbb7-abd7b9213e7d.html|archive-date=February 5, 2020|url-status=live}} E!'s Billy Nilles described the song as a "delightfully disco-influenced pop bop",{{Cite web|last=Nilles|first=Billy|url=https://www.eonline.com/ca/news/1102688/the-mixtape-presents-harry-styles-dua-lipa-and-more-new-music-musts|title=The MixtapE! Presents Harry Styles, Dua Lipa and More New Music Musts|date=December 13, 2019|website=E! News|language=en-CA|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218105108/https://www.eonline.com/ca/news/1102688/the-mixtape-presents-harry-styles-dua-lipa-and-more-new-music-musts|archive-date=December 18, 2019|access-date=February 5, 2020}} and Forbes contributor Lauren Alvarez wrote, {{"'}}Evil Twin' is the most reminiscent of her previous songs, and explores the side of herself that doesn't make the brightest decisions. It's definitely a must-listen to song from the LP!"{{Cite journal|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurenalvarez/2020/01/31/meghan-trainor-stuns-on-new-album-treat-myself/|title=Meghan Trainor Stuns On New Album 'Treat Myself'|last=Alvarez|first=Lauren|journal=Forbes|language=en|date=January 31, 2020|access-date=February 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200204012026/https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurenalvarez/2020/01/31/meghan-trainor-stuns-on-new-album-treat-myself/|archive-date=February 4, 2020|url-status=live}} Idolator's Mike Nied called the song a "candy-coated bop the likes of which no one does quite like Meghan". In his review of Treat Myself, he wrote: The rollicking bop introduces us to her 'crazy bitch' alter ego after a wild night filled with regrets. However, it is an outlier on the tracklist for me. In that the track is a little too twee for my taste. That being said, there's no denying the performance she delivers over the breezy beats.{{Cite web|last=Nied|first=Mike|url=https://www.idolator.com/7906273/album-review-meghan-trainors-treat-myself-was-worth-the-wait|title=Album Review: Meghan Trainor's 'Treat Myself' Was Worth The Wait|date=February 3, 2020|website=Idolator|access-date=February 5, 2020|archive-date=May 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515120206/https://www.idolator.com/7906273/album-review-meghan-trainors-treat-myself-was-worth-the-wait|url-status=dead}}
Jenesaispop's Jordi Bardají recommended "Evil Twin" as one of Treat Myself{{'s}} standout tracks.{{Cite web|last=Bardají|first=Jordi|url=https://jenesaispop.com/2020/02/02/382778/meghan-trainor-treat-myself/|title=Meghan Trainor / Treat Myself|date=February 2, 2020|website=Jenesaispop|language=es|access-date=February 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200203212512/https://jenesaispop.com/2020/02/02/382778/meghan-trainor-treat-myself/|archive-date=February 3, 2020|url-status=live}} Stereogum{{'}}s Chris DeVille included the song in his "Pop Five" of the "2020 State of Pop Address",{{Cite web|last=DeVille|first=Chris|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2068634/the-2020-state-of-pop-address/franchises/the-week-in-pop/|title=The 2020 State Of Pop Address|date=February 1, 2020|website=Stereogum|access-date=February 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205165336/https://www.stereogum.com/2068634/the-2020-state-of-pop-address/franchises/the-week-in-pop/|archive-date=February 5, 2020|url-status=live}} and Courtney E. Smith of Refinery29 included "Evil Twin" in her list of "top songs of Winter 2020 so far".{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Courtney E. |title=Celebrate the Winter Solstice (& Get Through the Cold) with This Playlist of New Music |url=https://www.refinery29.com/en-ca/top-songs-winter-2020-playlist#slide-9 |website=Refinery29 |access-date=April 16, 2020}}
Personnel
Credits adapted from the album liner notes, Treat Myself (2020).{{cite AV media notes |title=Treat Myself |others=Meghan Trainor |publisher=Epic Records}}
{{Div col}}
- Ethan Snoreck – composer, drums, engineer, synthesizer
- Josh Kear – composer, background vocals
- Tyler Johnson – composer, producer, drums, background vocals
- Anders Mouridsen – electric guitar
- Maurice Ellis – bass
- Bo Bodnar – engineer, background vocals
- Brendan Dekora – engineer
- Drew Taubenfeld – guitar
- Serban Ghenea – mixing engineer
- Dan Higgins – saxophone
- Meghan Trainor – composer, lead vocals, background vocals
- Andrew Wells – producer, bass, drums, engineer, guitar, recording engineer, synthesizer
- Ron Schaer – trumpet
- Christopher Lynch – background vocals
- Daryl Sabara – background vocals
- Gary Trainor – background vocals
- Justin Trainor – background vocals
- Kelli Trainor – background vocals
- Ryan Trainor – background vocals
- Sam Berger – background vocals
{{div col end}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Portal|Pop music|United States}}
- {{YouTube|id=XQy8tX7fhEk|title=Meghan Trainor – Evil Twin (Audio)}}
- {{YouTube|id=GC4vBN4sPjw|title=Meghan Trainor – Evil Twin (Lyric Video)}}
{{Meghan Trainor}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Songs written by Josh Kear