Red Hot Chili Peppers Fans React to Anthony Kiedis's Weird Pirate Singing on "Black Summer"

Shiver me timbers!

BY Alex HudsonPublished Feb 4, 2022

The comeback single from Red Hot Chili Peppers was always going to be met with intense scrutiny. Unlimited Love's lead single "Black Summer" is finally here and, unsurprisingly, it's causing a big stir — although not for quite the reason fans might have expected.

Yes, many people are welcoming the return of classic-era guitarist John Frusciante and noting the song's sonic similarities to 2006's Stadium Arcadium. But most hot takes are focusing on frontman Anthony Kiedis's odd choice to sing the song with a Celtic vocal affectation that resembles a swashbuckling sea shanty. Making it even stranger, the ole scallywag's voice comes smothered in a very noticeable helping of Auto-Tune. Shiver me timbers!

Below, see a small sampling of the reactions to the new song, as me hearties try to decide whether Kiedis is doing a pirate voice, some sort of a bad Irish accent, or something else entirely.

Listen to "Black Summer" here, ye filthy landlubber, and decide whether the song should be forced to walk the plank. Unlimited Love is out April 1.
 

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