"Slide"

Earlier this year, Calvin Harris, a Scottish DJ and record producer, released his single “Slide.” This sublime union of funk, disco, dance and R&B features Frank Ocean and Migos. The combination of these singers and rappers add texture to this upcoming hit. Considering the balmy weather Exeter’s experienced lately, “Slide,” with its breezy tone and carefree vibe, is the perfect track to jam to with friends.

The song opens with a fairly slow piano intro, setting a relaxed mood for the piece. Ocean’s high-pitched altered vocals step in to signal a transition in the piece, and the funky beats in the background give the song an upbeat edge. The combination of Ocean’s sultry, laid-back voice and the relaxed pace of this lightweight production can calm anyone. Ocean’s deadpan is magnetic and catchy, especially on the hook as he sings, “Do you slide on all your nights like this?/ Do you try on all your nights like this? (I might)/ Put some spotlight on the slide/ Whatever comes, comes through clear.”

Unlike other current hits, the rap sections of the track don’t feel forced, and the words aren’t slurred together. Migos adapted to this pop song with ease, and the rappers are integrated into the song without being superfluous. They come in for the second and third verses. Quavo, a member of Migos, delivers the second verse with catchy and simple repetitions that’ll stick in your head all day. Offset, another Migos member, raps about the shallow victories and status symbols in life. The rap verses, as a whole, add layers to the simultaneously energetic and calm track about life’s superficial joys.

Overall, this fun dance track by Calvin Harris is the perfect representation of the positive energy that will hopefully come with this summer. “Slide” has a killer groove, complemented well by Migos’ memorable verses and Ocean’s melancholy tone. Who knew that such diverse artists could come together to create a track that will surely be popular long into the warm summer days to come? 

“Slide” is the first of ten singles Calvin Harris plans to release this year. One can only hope that this single’s nine successors will exhibit an equally addicting hook and complimentary verses.