G4U (M)

*not so lonely*  (2018)

***G4U*** (stands for great/good 4 u or you) is a song by American singer-songwriter Monica Lacroix from her third studio album *Rated M(2020)* released through Republic Records on April 6, 2020, accompanied with the album's release. The song was written by Martin, Victoria Monet and Sarah Hudson, and produced by Max Martin, Oscar Holton, and Kai.

"G4U" is a midtempo song blending pop, disco, and minimalistic electropop stylized with some bass. Its lyrics see Lacroix showing off some sass as she tells her former lover in a quote "that's nice, it's cool" not giving a f\*ck for what they have to say to her. Critics raved over the songs lyricism internationally with it sweeping up listeners around the world. The single was nominated for the 2021 Grammy Awards Ceremony. The songs music video was directed by Ben Bloom who is always the usual director for Lacroix's M/Vs while the video depicts Lacroix wishing a lover goodbye and as the climax hits, she can be seen celebrating with someone new.

"G4U" debuted atop the Billboard Global 200 selling over 1,283,498 equivalent units, while in the US the single debuted at number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It became Monicas seventh #1 to top the chart, while the latter became her first single since 2014 to not debut at number one. Highly anticipated releases such as Billie Eilish's second studio album *Happier Than Ever* & *Intentions* by Justin Bieber were at hand for the chart's activity. Overall, the song was an international global success charting #1 across the charts outside the United States. The single has received sale certifications globally.

## Release

The single was confirmed by Lacroix in the previous months leading up to its release as the artist said she suffered from a creative block and didn't know which way to take her career. It was announced in September she'd be releasing an album and following the COVID-19 Lockdowns, the artist subsequently stated she'd keep the release dates. "G4U" was released to digital and streaming platforms on the day of release, while physicals were sent out a week after and it was released on radio just a day upon release.

## Critical Reception

The single was raved across international platforms worldwide with critics falling in love with the production and the direction that Lacroix intended to take for this era. Monica was often fearful of the single and its possible effects on her career but stuck to the memo. Fans felt they could connect with the artist which ultimately lead to its rise on the charts and instant #1 on the Billboard 200. RollingStone.com described the song as a powerful anthem to just say no to a former lover or in some cases a toxic relationship. MWCritic gave the single a 89% citing as while its sonically different and interesting, it seems to be aimed more commercially as a safe radio hit while not pushing the real boundaries of edginess. Many compared it to the likes of English singers, Dua Lipa & Mabel while also American JoJo.

## Commercial performance

The single debuted on the charts at #1 internationally across the board, while in the United States it debuted at #15 on the US Billboard Hot 100 becoming Lacroix's first single not to go #1 since 2014. The single would continue to rise ultimately peaking at #6 for the week of July 6th however would be blocked due to the releases of Miley Cyrus which was a collaboration with Monica titled Prisoner that would later be certified Diamond just a few weeks after leading to a new record and fastest single to achieve this status. Lacroix would eventually go number one after trading places with Prisoner on the week of August 17, 2020. The single would make Monica one of the few artists to hold #1 and #2 respectively and replace her collaborative peer at #1. It would become Monicas 8th single to go number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, and her eighth single to enter the chart.

Upon release, the single topped the streaming charts and M/V trending chart. By the time it went number one, it was already at over 2 billion views on YouTube, and amassed over 1.2 billion streams.