I had fun with this one. I love Tom Breihan’s Stereogum column The Number Ones, in which he is reviewing every number one Billboard hit in chronological order. His best columns are often about the most insubstantial or annoying songs, because then he can apply a cool objectivity to the processes of the pop machine.
“Espresso” is insubstantial, and while I enjoy it just fine, I understand why it irritates my fellow dads. But I am a poptimist and I start from the assumption that if a lot of people like something, there must be a reason. There is plenty to enjoy in a song like “Espresso” and it’s worth examining it to find out how it works.