Log in

Review: Calvin Harris gets some starry help on terrific CD

Posted 7/5/17

This undated photo provided by Sony Music shows the cover for Calvin Harris' new CD "Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1." (Sony Music via AP)

By MARK KENNEDY, AP Entertainment Writer

Calvin Harris, "Funk …

You must be a member to read this story.

Join our family of readers for as little as $5 per month and support local, unbiased journalism.


Already have an account? Log in to continue.

Current print subscribers can create a free account by clicking here

Otherwise, follow the link below to join.

To Our Valued Readers –

Visitors to our website will be limited to five stories per month unless they opt to subscribe. The five stories do not include our exclusive content written by our journalists.

For $6.99, less than 20 cents a day, digital subscribers will receive unlimited access to YourValley.net, including exclusive content from our newsroom and access to our Daily Independent e-edition.

Our commitment to balanced, fair reporting and local coverage provides insight and perspective not found anywhere else.

Your financial commitment will help to preserve the kind of honest journalism produced by our reporters and editors. We trust you agree that independent journalism is an essential component of our democracy. Please click here to subscribe.

Sincerely,
Charlene Bisson, Publisher, Independent Newsmedia

Please log in to continue

Log in
I am anchor

Review: Calvin Harris gets some starry help on terrific CD

Posted
This undated photo provided by Sony Music shows the cover for Calvin Harris' new CD "Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1." (Sony Music via AP)


By MARK KENNEDY, AP Entertainment Writer
Calvin Harris, "Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1" (Columbia Records)
A photo of a sun-kissed, empty beach is on the front of DJ/producer Calvin Harris' new CD and there's a palm tree on the back. That's appropriate for what is a strong contender for album of the summer.
The 10-track "Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1" is a slick triumph for Harris, who has brought 21 of his superstar friends along to make a CD as cool as a Popsicle and as sticky as a pool-side cocktail. "Release, let go, and have a good time," is a lyric that sums up the record.

It kicks off with "Slide," featuring a moody Frank Ocean and the hotter-than-hot group Migos. The gorgeously layered song signals Harris is pushing beyond previous club hits like "This Is What You Came For."
If we're judged by the company we keep, then Harris is a musical magnet. In addition to Migos and Ocean, the album also features Future, Katy Perry, Ariana Grande, Big Sean, John Legend, Khalid, Nicki Minaj, Travis Scott, Lil Yachty, Young Thug, Snoop Dogg and two appearances by Pharrell Williams.
An album with so many guests would presumably topple over, but somehow Harris weaves all the voices, styles and grooves into a coherent, breezy hip-hop and EDM tapestry. It recalls Moby's 1999 monster hit-collection "Play" — the last time an insular techno techie became a bona fide music god.
"Heatstroke," with Grande turning her angel voice up to 11, is pure shimmering pop, and "Rollin" is a hypnotic slow jam, combining Khalid's soulfulness, Future's unique rap style and little electronic shards that Harris scatters across the album. Minaj goes Caribbean flirty in "Skrt On Me," and Jessie Reyez turns in a great "Hard to Love."
Perry's appearance on "Feels" seems destined to continue the Great Feud of Our Age, namely the beef between her and Taylor Swift. Harris is an ex-boyfriend of Swift's and the reggae-flavored song seems to throw shade on a pill-popping, emotionless bed jumper. One line goes: "Goddamn, I know you love to make an entrance/Do you like getting paid or getting paid attention?" Meow.
Yes, the CD has a curious title. But at least it offers some hope — that there's a Vol. 2.
___
Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits