Funk Wav Bounces, Vol. 1

On his fifth studio album, Calvin Harris redefines the banger. As one of dance music's most unstoppable forces, the Scottish DJ/producer made euphoric dance-pop a Top 40 staple by pairing passionate pop hooks with explosive house beats. But <i>Funk Wav Bounces, Vol. 1</i> is post-EDM, with a laidback vibe better suited to barbecues than bottle service. Packed with feel-good summer anthems, it draws from dancehall (“Skrt on Me (feat. Nicki Minaj)”), Motown (“Heatstroke (feat. Young Thug, Pharrell Williams & Ariana Grande)”) and breezy California hip-hop (“Holiday (feat. Snoop Dogg, John Legend & Takeoff)”). Considering the guest list, there’s reason to believe <i>...Bounces</i> reflects more than just a shift in Harris’ personal tastes: it’s a smooth and soulful forecast for where music is headed next.