For "Charades," off her upcoming Audrey Hepburn mixtape, Chrisette Michele (directed by photographer Derek Blanks) takes a decidedly early-'90s R&B approach -- part Toni Braxton, part sexed-up Anita Baker -- with the accompanying visuals. Her now even-svelter frame is given some shine as she runs through moves perfected by many a video temptress from the era. (Hey, chick-smoking-a-cigar. We've missed you.) But it's Michele's smoldering doe eyes that get near-pornographic attention from Blanks' lens. And deservedly so! They are the real stars of what turns out to be a lovely if somewhat uneven clip. The song itself is a sexy slow-burner bound to appeal to fans of Epiphany-era Michele, and thankfully stripped of an earlier guest appearance by rapper 2 Chainz (who absolutely failed to turn in a performance akin to Paul Wall's surprisingly perfect fit on Jill Scott's "So Gone (What My Mind Says)"). She breathily coos lyrical mundanities on a Wizzy Wow-produced beat that's lush enough to make you forget you've heard this song a hundred times before.
- Advertisement -
