Calvin Harris - Singles Collection (Colours/The Girls/Acceptable In The 80s) (Fly Eye Records)

Harris aims to create future sounds with retro equipment, shunning a wall of technology to work from, and bringing the live band back to disco

Single Review by Struan Otter | 12 Mar 2007
Fiver bet you can't stop yourself from turning round to your stereo and pressing repeat as soon as your first listen of Calvin Harris is over. Foot-stamping beats hold together Amiga-created layers, catchy lyrics, and sparkling electro/robo disco with authentic sound effects not heard since the 80s. Colours bestows compliments on those who avoid wearing black, there's no Goths allowed at Calvin's disco parties, just accented singing to funky beats, and clavichord-esque keys. And a sense of irony does not escape Calvin – Colours samples Visage's Fade To Grey! The Girls professes a love for a multitude of girls in all race, colour, size, and nationality, with the catchy hook of "I get all the girls". Even if you don't want all the girls, you'll want to sing along. Acceptable in the 80s is genius when you consider that the average clubber in present times was born between 1980 and 1989 – Calvin declares that he's got love and hugs for you "if you were born in the eighties". Warped guitar solos of analog dreams and upbeat disco bass assault the senses in this hip future-disko. Harris aims to create future sounds with retro equipment, shunning a wall of technology to work from, and bringing the live band back to disco. If you can beg, steal or borrow to get your hands on this (just don't tell them we sent you), then do so. [Struan Otter]
Released: Acceptable in the 80s is out 12 Mar, and his debut album is due this Spring/Summer.