With 5 studio albums already behind him, Calvin Harris has come a long way since his debut single Acceptable In The 80’s. This years release entitled Funk Wav Bounces Vol.1 is another feature-filled collection of summer vibes and feel-good pop, read on to see what we thought…
Over the albums 10 tracks, Harris has enlisted help from the commercial music scenes elite, there really are too many to mention. As the projects title suggests it is a rather funky musical journey, inspired by the recent disco revival. Not every track follows the vintage 70’s and 80’s themes however, like on the Nicki Minaj collaboration which is more of a dancehall affair. This is not the only Caribbean moment that the album has to offer, Feels features Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean and has a subtle reggae influence. This track still has a distinctly disco feel overall though, with a breakdown inspired by Nile Rogers himself.
The majority of Funk Wav Bounces is a seriously coherent listen, utilising a familiar tone throughout. From the opening track Slide, Harris, Frank Ocean and Migos blend together miraculously to create a toe-tapping chart-topping pop track. Clean guitar strums, 80’s drum machine claps, smooth keys and clever vocal layering all add to the tracks appeal.
Producers need to be careful when using throwback sounds not to sound like a copycat, whether intentional or not there are more than one questionable bass line’s and drum pattern’s. This is hardly Calvin Harris’ fault however, and is something that is prevalent across many modern disco attempts. Cash Out brings out Schoolboy Q and PARTYNEXTDOOR to do their thing, it is satisfyingly cheesy but the bass part and piano section could be considered unoriginal.
Working with so many different singers must bring with it a few challenges, and at times the album does come across too busy. The collaboration with Young Thug and Pharrell Williams is a great example of this, even with so much talent on the tracks title it manages to disappoint. Rollin that follows is a much more successful pairing though, Future and Khalid sound as if they were made for the instrumental. They compliment where others have unfortunately clashed, and Harris is in great form. A slower rhythm and a more synthetic palette suit the vocalists well, listen out closely for the softer synths and backing vocals in the background.
Snoop Dogg and John Legend pop up on another old-school beat, Holiday is a strong contender for the albums best. It is incredibly tastefully put together, Harris has learned a lot over the years and such an accomplished production is a testament to that. Alongside the scenes veterans, this album has also been a platform for more modern singers and rappers. Kehlani and Lil Yachty add a touch of youthful enthusiasm on Faking It, and the result is another decent radio friendly song; but nothing special. The albums final track is a more mature offering, mixing acoustic and electronic elements with a fantastic vocal from Jessie Reyez. It is a great choice for the outro piece, without sounding out of place it finishes with a contrasting energy to wind down.
There are moments of genius on this release, but no clear sign of which will be the most memorable. Along with the killer tracks there are also a handful of fillers, which remain stagnant even with the help of some top class vocalists. Calvin Harris will certainly gain a lot of success with Funk Wav Bounces, as it arrives just in time for the summer it will of course fit the mood well.
