Grade: 50/100
More recently, EDM artists have had the ability to create records using their beats with other artists’ vocals.
Calvin Harris is a direct example of this, creating radio hits with artists singing on his tracks or colliding with other DJs to create a unified song. Now,Harris has released “Motion,” an album featuring pop singers, rappers, DJs and solo tracks.
The album as a whole is about fifty-fifty with great tracks and subpar songs.
Some hits from the record are the pre-released singles “Blame” and “Summer.” For months now these tracks have had heavy radio play and are a great depiction of what Harris continuously produces.
Other hits on the album are “Under Control,” “Love Now,” “Outside,” “Pray to God” and “Dollar Signs.” Each of these songs are collaborative tracks with artists Alesso, Hurts, All About She, Ellie Goulding, HAIM and Tinashe. All of these songs show off Harris’ ability to mix together a great dance beat while using the artists’ talent to sing on the track. These two combine will create a hit for the dance floor, or car radio.
However, the rest of the songs are either just boring dance beats, or miss the mark as a successful collaboration.
Other than “Summer,” there are two tracks on the record that are solo Harris tracks. However, “Faith” and “Slow Acid” are unlike the hit track because Harris doesn’t sing, it’s just an EDM track. While this works in dance clubs to use as a transitional track between lyrical songs, they don’t work as songs on a record. No one wants to listen to a bunch of dance beats that sounds like every other dance beat while going to work, or walking to class.
Some collaborative tracks on “Motion” also miss the mark.
“Open Wide” featuring Big Sean, is just uncomfortable to listen to with it’s over-the-top lyrics. Plus, it feels like Big Sean doesn’t fit on the track, like another artist should have been chosen instead.
Another song like this is “Together” with Gwen Stefani. Stefani sounds awkward on the track and her voice isn’t fitting for what Harris is creating.
Basically, “Motion” has some great songs, but it’s not worth buying the whole album. Just buy whichever tracks you like the best on iTunes instead.