Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2
| Calvin Harris
Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2
Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2 is the sixth studio album by Scottish DJ and record producer Calvin Harris. It was released on 5 August 2022 through Columbia Records. The album contains guest appearances from 21 Savage, Dua Lipa, Young Thug, Stefflon Don, Chloë, Coi Leray, Charlie Puth, Shenseea, Normani, Tinashe, Offset, Busta Rhymes, Justin Timberlake, Halsey, Pharrell Williams, Jorja Smith, Lil Durk, 6lack, Donae'o, Snoop Dogg, Latto, Swae Lee, and Pusha T. It serves as a sequel to his previous album, Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 (2017). -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
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Rolling Stone
Calvin Harris Delivers a Laid-back EDM-Pop Flex With ‘Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2’.
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Pitchfork
Borrowing from disco, electro-soul, boogie, and 1980s R&B, vibe commissioner Calvin Harris’ second volume of frictionless summer jams has the staying power of vape smoke at Coachella.
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The Daily Beast
Even with an arsenal of slinky grooves and guest spots from Dua Lipa, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell, and Snoop Dogg, Harris’ latest summer flex falls flat.
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NME
An all-star grab-bag of sun-drenched sounds.
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Vinyl Chapters
Harris has yet again managed to craft an album that will be loved by longtime fans and newcomers alike for many years to come. It seems like this series of Funk Wav Bounces are really working for him, so let’s hope and pray that a third is on the way.
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Slant Magazine
The Scottish DJ’s latest album has a few superficial charms going for it—and not much else.
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AllMusic
Calvin Harris can still craft a catchy earworm, and these songs are pleasing enough. However, the bulk of the effort consists of tracks that are interchangeable at best and forgettable at worst. This time around, the vibe is smooth, chilled-out, and a little boring. Rather than being another fun, beach/pool-friendly romp, Vol. 2 is a collection of groovy comedown moments fit for smoke-filled lounges and other dark corners of hedonism.
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musicOMH
The biggest victim of fan-capture since Misery’s Paul Sheldon follows up Funk Wav Bounces Vol 1 with star names from Stefflon Don and Snoop Dogg to Justin Timberlake and Pharrell.
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Financial Times
Star-studded formula and feel-good grooves.
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Stereoboard
The title ‘Funk Wav. Bounces Vol.2’ purposefully packages the songs like a random folder that was living on his computer desktop. In its own way, this gives a very superficial album (and its predecessor) more integrity than its competitors.
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Uproxx
Calvin Harris’ ‘Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2’ Shows How Hip-Hop And Dance Can Work.
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Daily Herald
This album may not have much more to offer than "Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1" did, so if you're on the lookout for vibey tunes to enjoy for the rest of summer, you might be better off sticking with Harris' hits from 2017.
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Evening Standard
Superstar DJ is back for more on this smooth and smart sequel.
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Clash Magazine
A breezy but tepid escapade through vintage sounds.
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Spectrum Culture
After a five-year wait, Calvin Harris’ Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2 ends up largely forgettable. There are a few groovy, disco-pop tracks that might be able to serve him a hit, while the others are repetitive and could have used more pronounced vigor.
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The Eastern Echo
For an album that was initially highly anticipated, the final product is disappointing. In addition, there seemed to be a lack of promotion for such a big album; many people did not realize it was released until later. This album expects to sell under 25k in the first week. To put it in perspective, this is less than Jack Harlow's sophomore album, Chance the Rapper's "Big Day" and “Live Life Fast” by Roddy Ricch. A disappointing album in general, especially for Calvin Harris.
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The Guardian
Harris enlists Dua Lipa, Justin Timberlake, Pharrell, Halsey and others for a second round of slinky disco-pop, but his luxurious production doesn’t disguise the dullness of the songs.
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Beats Per Minute
At its best, Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2 provides an inoffensive theme tune to a hot August. Many of the songs intone effortlessly through headphones and will be no stranger to supermarket playlists. As the songs outlive their shelf life by the end of summer, they will inevitably turn stale and be discarded. Detractors have long said that Harris’ music is tailor made for background summer playlists you can ignore – listening to this project, it’s hard to disagree.
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Our Culture
Vol. 2 feels less like the kind of breezy, carefree escape you can indulge in at any time and more like a record that needs to find you at the right place at the right time. Everything has to be kind of perfect, which explains why it sounds more polished than any other summer album you’re likely to hear this year. But when the party winds down, you’re left wondering where the real magic is.
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Ratings Game Music
All in all, this project is something that has serious replay value. I’ma throw it on in the background often.
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The Line of Best Fit
Unbelievably, it’s been half a decade since superstar DJ Calvin Harris moved away from classic floor filler dance anthems and side stepped into the world of laid-back nu-disco on Funk Wav Bounces Vol.1.
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Renowned for Sound
Vol. 2 is exactly that; unabashedly a sequel. Despite its unoriginality, it takes an unbroken formula, adds a healthy mix of current and legendary performers, and the result is a sunny, high-energy album, perfect for summer. Harris again proves that he is a master craftsman when it comes to songwriting and production, and it’s a joy to see him return to this style.
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Mic Cheque
Judging from the tame success of the singles, perhaps this will be the end for Harris’s funk chapter. Vol. 2 is lifeless pop filler, half-arsed from the hooks and writing down to the rotten production. Calvin Harris should wave goodbye to funk forever.
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