Say hello to what will, in all probability, be next week's number one. Yes, Calvin Harris is at it again, and has stoked the coals in his ChartTopper-O-Matic™in order to pump out his latest hit, Blame, featuring the vocal talents of John Newman - himself no stranger to the summit of the singles chart.
Blame is another thumping club track from the Scottish producer, who has spent the last few years using a very successful formula to create his equally successful singles. But has the formula become stale now? Have a listen and read on.
Let's cut straight to it - Blame is a good track. Better than Summer in many ways, and is Calvin Harris doing what Calvin Harris does best. John Newman's vocals really set the whole thing off, as the two massive musicians come together to create a force to be reckoned with. Blame has vibes of Newman's own Cheating, as well as Harris' I Need Your Love. The drop in particular is fairly similar to that of the latter track. It's uplifting, and it's sure to set clubs ablaze.
But. Isn't it time we had something new from Calvin at this point? His recent work has been a lovely continuation of what he started with 18 Months, but at the end of the day, it really is just more of the same. Calvin's innovation, I would argue, almost entirely kickstarted the acceptance of dance music within the popular sphere with I'm Not Alone, all the way back in 2008. He brought this new style to the masses in ways no other producer had managed. It's a shame then, that recently that creativity and innovation has dried up, and there are far more creative and forward-thinking artists starting to come to the fore, overtaking Harris - not in terms of money or success, but certainly in terms of sound and style.
Harris is the most popular and well payed DJ in the industry. That's a fact. He more than anyone can afford to take risks - at this point, he doesn't have to pander to the masses, and it would be really great to see him try to move things forward now. Yeah, there was C.U.B.A a few weeks ago, but although that was new to him, it was a fairly generic Big Room track. Calvin almost singlehandedly introduced me to electronic music with the superb work he did on debut album I Created Disco, and I really want to see him return to not necessarily that style, but that level of creativity and freshness.
In short then, Blame is a good track. It'll be a massive success. Hell, I'll probably go out and get drunk and sing my head off to it in night clubs. But it's also the same thing, again. Here's hoping Calvin mixes things up a bit more before his newest album drops soon.
UPDATE: As I finished writing this, Blame hit number one on iTunes. Like I said. Massive success.
UPDATE: As I finished writing this, Blame hit number one on iTunes. Like I said. Massive success.
The Octopus' Rating: 5.5/8
Release Details:
Name: Blame (Feat. John Newman)
Artist: Calvin Harris
Label: Sony Music Entertainment UK
Release Date: 7 September [OUT NOW]
Purchase: iTunes
Writer, musician, and all-round top guy. I set up Excited Octopus. Currently, I'm on a one man team. It gets lonely sometimes. But I don't mind, because I love you all.
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