Whatever (Kygo and Ava Max song)

"Whatever" is a song by Norwegian DJ Kygo and American singer Ava Max. It was released on 19 January 2024 through RCA Records, as the lead single from Kygo's eponymous fifth studio album. The tropical house song was written by both artists alongside Cleo Tighe, Jonah Shy, Petey Martin and Rollo. It contains an interpolation of Shakira's 2001 song "Whenever, Wherever", with lyrics about a breakup; therefore, Shakira, Tim Mitchell and Gloria Estefan are credited as co-writers. The song reached number one in Norway and the top 10 in Sweden.

Background and composition
In early January 2024, Kygo and Max posted snippets of an upcoming collaboration on their social media accounts. On 10 January, Kygo announced the release date of the song. "Whatever" was released for digital download and streaming on January 19 through RCA Records and Sony Music. It was written by Kygo, Max, Cleo Tighe, Jonah Shy, Patrick Martin, and Rollo. The chorus interpolates Shakira's 2001 song "Whenever, Wherever". Shakira, Gloria Estefan, and Tim Mitchell were consequently credited as songwriters.

"Whatever" is a tropical house song. The lyrics of the original song's chorus were modified to "Whatever, whatever / We were never good together / I'll be here and you stay there / Truth is, I never cared", making for a "harsh rebuke of the limitless love" presented in the original song. The instrumental is built around an acoustic guitar and a "pumping" kick drum.

Critical reception
The song received mixed reviews from critics. Jason Heffler from EDM.com called the song an "infectious cover" and "a saccharine anthem that will soon dominate dance radio". We Rave You's Chris Vuoncino said to "expect 'Whatever' to be on repeat all year long at festivals and radio stations everywhere". Writing for Billboard, Andrew Unterberger described the song as "an undeniable club smash".

Less positively, Exclaim!'s Sydney Brasil wrote that the song's "horrid interpolation" is its "main crime", and that it "turns the [interpolated] track's chorus into a lazy breakup anthem". Marius Ásp from Verdens Gang also criticized the interpolation, describing it as "lazy and uninspired"; he gave the song a 2 out of 5.

Music video
The music video for "Whatever" was released on January 19, 2024. Directed by Dano Cerny, it is set in a desolate desert highway. The opening scene shows a telephone booth in the middle of the desert, which then frequently cuts between Max and the landscape, leading to a scene where Max, who is wearing a black leather outfit and holding a rosary in one of the hands, starts singing as she walks away from a car. After the first chorus, reflective blue gems start floating around the singer, who is now wearing a black dress with a necklace containing three crosses. The video ends with the blue gems merging and showing a reflection of Max.

Live performances
Kygo and Max first performed "Whatever" together on 13 February 2024 on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

Track listing

 * Digital download / streaming
 * 1) "Whatever" – 2:58


 * Digital download / streaming – Tiësto remix
 * 1) "Whatever" (Tiësto remix) – 2:45


 * Digital download / streaming – The Remixes
 * 1) "Whatever" (acoustic) – 3:45
 * 2) "Whatever" (Lavern remix) – 2:46
 * 3) "Whatever" (Klangkarussell remix) – 8:19
 * 4) "Whatever" (Frank Walker remix) – 3:04
 * 5) "Whatever" (Tiësto remix) – 2:45

Personnel

 * Kyrre Gørvell-Dahll – production, songwriting
 * Amanda Ava Koci – vocals, songwriting
 * Petey Martin – production
 * Cleo Tighe – songwriting
 * Gloria Estefan – songwriting
 * Jonah Shy – songwriting
 * Patrick Martin – songwriting
 * Roland Spreckley – songwriting
 * Shakira – songwriting
 * Tim Mitchell – songwriting
 * Bryce Bordone – assistant engineer
 * Serban Ghenea – mixing engineer
 * Randy Merrill – mastering engineer