On and Off (Maggie Rogers song)

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"On and Off"
Single by Maggie Rogers
from the EP Now That the Light Is Fading and the album Heard It in a Past Life
ReleasedJanuary 17, 2017 (2017-01-17)
Genre
Length3:41
Label
Songwriter(s)
  • Maggie Rogers
  • Nicholas Das
Producer(s)
  • Maggie Rogers
  • Nick Das
  • Doug Schadt
Maggie Rogers singles chronology
"Dog Years"
(2016) 		"On and Off"
(2017) 		"Split Stones"
(2017)
Music video
"On and Off" on YouTube

"On and Off" (stylized "On + Off") is a song by American singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers. It was released on January 17, 2017, through Debay Sounds and Capitol Records as the third single from her debut extended play (EP), Now That the Light Is Fading (2017).[3] The song was written by Rogers, and Nick Das, with the production being handled by Rogers, Das, and Doug Schadt.[4][5]

Background[edit]

In an interview with BBC Radio 1's MistaJam, Rogers stated "This was one of the very first songs—I made it right after 'Alaska'. The lyrics, there’s this sort of sexual cliché in the song. There’s a lyric that says you turn me on, but if you listen to the rest of the lyrics, that is actually about emotional stability and being on and off and finding a person that grounds you. I think that’s one of the most important things to me in relationships."[6] She also said in an interview with Pigeons and Planes's Eric Skelton "It's a song you can dance to and a song you can get down to, but for me there's a lot of heart and soul in it, too."[1]

Critical reception[edit]

Mike Wass of Idolator called it "a dizzy love song with breathy vocals and warm, multi-layered production."[7] Paste's Carter Shelter said "there are hints of Sia in the chorus, but the song retains that touch of atmospheric minimalism that made 'Alaska' such a standout. Rogers is batting three for three right now, and the signs don’t point to her letting up."[2] Chris Payne of Billboard stated that "On and Off" "sounds quite contemporary in 2017—not as singularly so as the transcendent 'Alaska'—but a solid offering nonetheless. And as a wistful, glistening, downtempo pop song, it's perhaps her best crossover play yet."[8] Pitchfork's Cameron Cook said "Rogers' voice is practically bursting at the seams with originality, and her new track solidifies her status as a veritable breakout star. Structured around a tight keyboard loop and Rogers' pitch-shifting falsetto, it elegantly recalls a carefree summer that so many dance singles try to capture, but much like her breakthrough hit 'Alaska', retains a homespun feel that sets it apart. After an echoing handclap announces the chorus, Rogers, chants her way across a velvety electronic groove, layering her vocals like a choir. There's an earnestness here that you simply can't fake. Standing at the intersection of so many genres (pop, folk, soul, and dance), Rogers' music is united by the brazen heart she wears on her sleeve."[9]

Music video[edit]

A music video, directed by Zia Anger, was released on February 1, 2017.[10] Carter Shelter of Paste described the music video: "[the video] sees Rogers and a trio of backup dancers working through choreography and costume changes in what appears to be one continuous take. Rogers comes across as charming, lacking the distance that often results from traditional pop shine (see: Sia), which makes it obvious why director Zia Anger left in the moment when she and her compadres break into laughter after completing the routine."[11]

Charts[edit]

Chart (2017) Peak
position
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[12] 44
US Adult Alternative Songs (Billboard)[13] 20

Release history[edit]

Region Date Format Label Ref.
United States January 17, 2017 Digital download
[3]
United Kingdom February 24, 2017 Contemporary hit radio [14]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Eric Skelton (January 16, 2017). "Listen to Maggie Rogers' New Song 'On And Off' - Pigeons and Planes". Pigeons and Planes. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Carter Shelter (January 17, 2017). "Maggie Rogers Keeps 'Em Coming with Third Single 'On and Off' - Music - News - Maggie Rogers - Paste". Paste. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  3. ^ a b "On and Off - Single by Maggie Rogers on Apple Music". iTunes Store (US). Archived from the original on February 9, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  4. ^ "On and Off - Maggie Rogers - Song Info - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  5. ^ Tom Breihan (January 17, 2017). "Maggie Rogers - 'On and Off' - Stereogum". Stereogum. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  6. ^ Ian David Monroe (January 17, 2017). "Listen to Maggie Rogers's Electrifying New Track 'On and Off' - V Magazine". V. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  7. ^ Mike Wass (January 17, 2017). "Maggie Rogers Drops Another Gem With 'On and Off' - Idolator". Idolator. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  8. ^ Chris Payne (January 17, 2017). "Maggie Rogers Shares New Song 'On and Off' - Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  9. ^ Cameron Cook (January 18, 2017). "'On and Off' by Maggie Rogers Review - Pitchfork". Pitchfork. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  10. ^ "Maggie Rogers - On and Off - YouTube". YouTube. February 1, 2017. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  11. ^ Carter Shelter (February 1, 2017). "Watch Maggie Rogers' One-Take Video for 'On and Off' - Music - Video - Maggie Rogers - Paste". Paste. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  12. ^ "Maggie Rogers - Chart history (Hot Rock Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2017.
  13. ^ "Maggie Rogers - Chart history (Adult Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
  14. ^ "BBC - Radio 1 - Playlist". BBC Radio 1. February 24, 2017. Archived from the original on February 24, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
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