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Album reviews

Calvin Harris finally releases ‘Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2’, his sixth studio album.

Kono Vidovic August 5, 2022 340 15 5


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It was long awaited: it is finally here. The sixth studio album of Calvin Harris, entitled ‘Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2’, is released on Columbia Records. As its name indicates, this opus is the second volume of his ‘Funk Wav Bounces’ era, a totally chill musical style including real instruments, vocals and mainstream sounds. After 5 albums of very high level, the Scotsman was thus very expected. Review of an album like no other!

Impressive list of collaborations.

Not like the others already when we look at the tracklist and the impressive list of collaborations on the album. We can hear tracks with Dua Lipa, Young Thug, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell WIlliams, Snoop Dogg, Halsey, Busta Rhymes, Swae Lee, Jorja Smith, 21 Savage, Chloe, Charlie Puth, Pusha T, Tinashe, Offset or 6lack. As far as I can remember, I have never seen an electronic music album with so many big names on it. Calvin goes into a bigger sphere with each new album. Note that this last one contains 14 tracks, for 45 minutes of pleasure.

Calvin Harris - Funk Wav Bounces Vol 2
The album will also come out on vinyl later this month. If you are a vinyl lover make sure to grab a copy here.

Dua Lipa & 21 Savage.

The Scottish DJ and producer had started the promotion of his album with the release of his new collaboration with Dua Lipa. After their huge hit “One Kiss” released in 2017, Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa had decided to collaborate again together with ‘Potion’, a track both groovy and very sensual. For me, the real hit of this album. After ‘Potion’, Calvin Harris presented ‘No Money’, a collaboration with 21 Savage, as the second single of the album. I find from the first notes a particular grain and a particular atmosphere proper to his other project, Love Regenerator, his much darker alias.

The biggest collab includes: Justin Timberlake, Pharrel & Halsey.

Calvin Harris then followed with the release of the biggest collaboration on paper on this album. To collaborate on the same track with Justin Timberlake, Pharrell Williams and Halsey is not easy to do. Entitled ‘Stay With Me’, the collaboration is running in loop on all the radios of the whole world at the moment. A real hit, I find nevertheless that the voice of Halsey cuts a little the mood of the title and could have been presented differently.

the 4th single before the full album release.

Finally on July 29th, the Scotsman released ‘New To You‘ in collaboration with Normani, Tinashe and Offset. The fourth single before the official release of his album. Today, the 10 other tracks of the album (including an intro) are finally released. In addition to the singles already released, the other big track of the album according to me is undoubtedly ‘Lean On Me’ with Swae Lee. A real delight.

The Scotsman stayed on this opus on a very calm vibe, including influences of all the mainstream universes, with slow tempos and mostly languorous melodies. I really feel the maturity of the artist on this album, who let himself go, forgetting all the codes of our current music. For example, some tracks are more than 5 minutes long, which is not done often anymore in the Spotify era when it comes to popular music.

Calvin Harris – Funk Wav Bounces Vol 2.

The new album from Calvin Harris, Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2, is a departure from his previous work in both style and substance. The first thing that strikes the listener is the switch from electronic to organic instrumentation. Gone are the synths and drum machines, replaced by guitars, horns, and live drums. This gives the album a warmer, more human feel. The second thing that stands out is the focus on collaborations. Harris has always been a master of the guest spot, but on this album, he shares the spotlight with some of the biggest names in pop music. Timberlake, Williams, Lipa, and Smith all make appearances, and they help to give the album a more diverse feel.

The album’s overall sound is best described as ’70s funk meets contemporary pop’. The production is smooth and polished, but the influences of classic soul and disco are impossible to ignore. This is most evident on the album’s standout track, ‘New Money’, which features 21 Savage on vocals. The song is an ode to the summertime, and its catchy melody and positive lyrics are sure to get stuck in your head. Other highlights include the groovy ‘Obsessed‘, the sensual ‘Potion’, and the Timberlake assisted ‘Stay With Me’.

Feel good music.

If you’re looking for a feel-good album to help you escape the daily grind, look no further than Calvin Harris’ Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2. It’s a fun, upbeat record that will put a smile on your face. And isn’t that what we all need right now?

Calvin Harris Interview about Funk Wav Bounces Vol 2.

In this interview here with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, Calvin Harris tells us about his highly anticipated 6th studio album. How the collaborations came and why he chose for this approach. The artist also tells us about the making of the album, the different sounds and what we can expect from Funk Wav Bounces Vol 2.

I find myself really enjoying this album! The tracks are feel-good and perfect for summertime listening. I like that Harris incorporated so many different genres and influences into the album. It’s nice to have an album that I can listen to from start to finish without skipping any tracks.What are your thoughts on the album?


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Kono Vidovic at Dirty Disco
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Kono Vidovic

DJ | MUSIC CURATOR & SELECTOR | PODCAST MAKER | BLOGGER Professional online interpreneur. Coffee practitioner. Electronic music culture maven. Total music guru. Infuriatingly humble problem solver. Food & sports fanatic.

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