4 IN THE MORNING - GWEN STEFANI
After dubious novelty singles like “Hollaback Girl” and “Wind It Up,” Gwen Stefani proved her mettle as a deserving millennium mainstay on previous “The Sweet Escape,” which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. “4 in the Morning” is even more gratifying — a melodic retro ballad that could have come from 1983’s “Flashdance” soundtrack (that’s a good thing). Fast-talking verses offer contemporary flair, but harmonic panache, instrumental simplicity and a sing-along chorus pay homage to a time when hooks were more meaningful than aligning with hostage-taking producers. At last, we truly respect Stefani in the “Morning.” Billboard
