Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1: A stylistic shift from the dance superstar

3 years ago Calvin Harris released his new project called ‘Funk Wav Bounces’ which showcased the EDM giant in his alternative side. With funky bass, an 80’s pop/dance groove and an array of stars the album was Calvin’s new magnum opus. His latest trick saw him surrounding himself with some of the world’s biggest – and hippest – singers and rappers to produce the certified sound for the summer of 2017 and the years to follow.  Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1’ was a triumph; a good-time album of wall-to-wall hits with a carefree, funky tropical feel and more than enough cool points to see him embraced by his old fans and the new ones he acquired after this record.

Here’s a look at my favourites from the record: 

• Slide: to this date ‘Slide’ is my favorite Calvin Harris song and one of my favorite songs ever made. Slide saw Calvin Harris playing a lot of instruments ranging from a piano to a bass guitar and combining them to make the grooviest song of 2017. The mix blends like magic with the Migos(excluding takeoff) and the legend Frank Ocean. The songs talks about meaningless flings and an urge for being in the spotlight. 

• Cash Out: This is a groovy track combines a 1980’s inspired beat alongside two verses from ScHoolboy Q and vocals from PARTYNEXTDOOR and D.R.A.M. The rest of the song details various aspects of a life of excess and hedonism common to the 1980s.

• Heatstroke: making it the first time the three musicians of completely different genres collaborate, the song unites them and makes them sing about setting feelings free and having a good time. A funky uptempo beat with the crazy of young thug, the mellow of ariana and the cool of Pharrel equals to song of the summer. 

• Rollin: you might not expect the soulful voice of Khalid to come close to being good with the raspy rapping/singing of Future but this track will shatter your expectations. On the heady, party-starting ‘Rollin’ the artists glide over a groovy Synth reminiscent of the 80’s. 

• Prayers Up: A-Trak and Calvin Harris have jointly produced this gorgeous track which is an ode to the lifestyle of an Alpha Male. “Prayers Up” is the proclamation of featured artist Travis Scott expressing how thankful he is for the success he has found in his life. Specially mention the scratching at the end by the Genius A-Trak just amplifies the groove of the song. 

•  Holiday: “Holiday” is a chill, old school California hip-hop type song about pleasing a lover for the rest of their life. Fittingly, It features Snoop Dogg, one of the most iconic California hip-hop artists ever. The Takeoff verse on this song takes the cake being one of his best verses of all time. 

•  Feels: I’m a sucker for bass and this track has the grooviest bass line in this entire project. The duo of Calvin Harris and Pharrel Williams come back with Katy Perry and Big Sean to deliver the chart topping, party ready banger ‘Feels’. This cut is a light hearted summer banger that people will enjoy more often than not. 

•  Faking it: Calvin Harris combines the butter smooth vocals of Kehlani and the teenage rap flow of Lil Yatchy with a sense of sophistication. The seductive bass guitar layered of popish percussions compliment the styles of every artist featured on this track. 

Clubbing is about hedonism, escape, feeling invincible with a cocktail in your hand. Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 is a breezy distraction from every thing happening in our life. Harris in a tweet before releasing this project said “Not feel good music. Feel INCREDIBLE music.” and this record is just that. With the grooviest tunes presnt in a Calvin Harris record, Funk Wav Bounces isn’t the kind of album that’s going to change the conversation in pop music, but it doesn’t want to. All it wanted to do was to sit by the pool, release, let go, and have a good time.