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The ShortListen: Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna (no. 303)

Here is your summer anthem

The ShortListen: Calvin Harris feat. Rihanna (no. 303)
29 April 2016

Who? Calvin Harris feat Rihanna

What’s the story? Calvin Harris is a man that really knows what he's doing. He's been quiet, recordings-wise, since last July's huge hit How Deep Is Your Love, a collaboration with Londoners Disciples. But now, out of nowhere, at the perfect time - with the summer just on the horizon - he's unexpectedly teamed up with Rihanna for a new single. It's unexpected mainly because Rihanna's recent album was such an Anti-commercial curveball that it seemed unlikely she'd have any interest in doing a straightforward club banger again. But, handily for her, and in the same manner as How Deep Is Your Love, this is a track which is way smarter than your average EDM-athon. It's understated: just when you expect it to explode, it holds back. The verses are melodic and mysterious and Harris employs a lovely trick on the choruses, with a killer dropped beat on each second half. The genius is in the pre-chorus and the silky lines of, "lightning strikes every time she moves and everybody's watching her... but she's looking at you". It's not We Found Love part two, but it's not trying to be. Classic Calvin: simple and brilliant.

For fans of: Disciples, Madeon

In three words: Your summer anthem

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