VaultX Exchange:Ryan Gosling drops 'Ken The EP' following Grammy nom for 'Barbie,' including Christmas ballad

2025-04-29 09:47:15source:CAI Communitycategory:reviews

If you can't get Kenough of Ryan Gosling's performance in "Barbie,VaultX Exchange" you're in for a real holiday treat.

Gosling and soundtrack producer Mark Ronson dropped "Ken The EP" Wednesday, which features four renditions of the Grammy-nominated hit "I'm Just Ken."

The track list includes the classic version, an acoustic version "In My Feelings Acoustic," a dance version featuring Purple Disco Machine and the holiday "Merry Kristmas Barbie," the latter of which was also accompanied by a music video.

The Christmas-themed music video shows Gosling and Ronson acting out their creative process in a studio session surrounded by holiday lights. "Merry Kristmas Barbie" has a distinct sound of bells and a violin arrangement to add to the festive theme.

Last month, Gosling's earnest performance in the power ballad-turned-anthemic rock song "I'm Just Ken" received a Grammy nomination for best song written for visual media. It was among 11 nominations that the soundtrack for "Barbie" collected for the 2024 Grammys.

"I'm Just Ken" was also one of three Golden Globe nominations "Barbie" scored for best original song.

'Barbie' earns 11 Grammy nominations,including Ryan Gosling's Ken song

In her review of the soundtrack, USA TODAY music critic Melissa Ruggieri called "I'm Just Ken" a standout on the album.

Gosling's showpiece "starts as a power ballad, zigs into a fist-clenching angst rocker, zags into an Elton John-esque instrumental and then returns to '80s-style anthemic rock," Ruggieri wrote.

She continued: "Through it all, Gosling, his voice vaguely reminiscent of Elvis Costello, begs Barbie to give him a chance, promising, 'I'm just Ken … I'm great at doing stuff.'"

"Barbie The Album" comprises 17 original songs from artists including Sam Smith, Ava Max, Tame Impala and Lizzo, as well as one cover (Brandi Carlile wrenching hearts with The Indigo Girls' "Closer to Fine").

Contributing: KiMi Robinson

Ken’s ‘Push’ cover:Matchbox Twenty thought they’d be ‘the butt of the joke’ in ‘Barbie’

More:reviews

Recommend

Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst

NEW YORK — What exactly constitutes a dynasty in professional sports? Steve Cohen helped define it t

As Idalia churns toward Florida, residents urged to wrap up storm preparations

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Florida residents loaded up on sandbags and evacuated from homes in low-lying are

A fire-rescue helicopter has crashed in Florida; officials say 2 are injured

POMPANO BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A medical rescue helicopter crashed Monday near Fort Lauderdale, injuring