When two of the biggest names in pop music come together for a collaboration, you know it’s going to be worth a listen. The Weeknd and Calvin Harris’s ‘Over Now’ is a velvety-smooth drive through the nostalgic years of R&B and retro.

The Weeknd’s already got one of the most intoxicating, soothing voices in the industry but when paired with Calvin Harris’s electrifying production, it takes on a whole new level of depth. It’s honestly a perfect match made in heaven. In recent years, the Canadian singer has leant towards electropunk styles, having worked with the likes of Daft Punk and Gesaffelstein, so his venture with Calvin Harris was only the next step. 

The themes of the feature revolve around jealously, passion, anger — topics that longtime fans of The Weeknd can expect from his discography. But there’s something low-key and mellow about this particular composition. Just when the chords begin to pick up and the synth riffs ramp up in the background, the tempo slows down and The Weeknd hits the sky-high notes with ease. The baseline is clear and subtle, but it does a healthy dose of funk into the mix. Though Calvin Harris incorporates some scintillating house vibes into the mix, the most notable aspect is The Weeknd’s overlapping Falsetto vocal effects. His hums and riffs may be quiet and fairly flat but they go a long way in building a seductive atmosphere, one of dim-lit clubs and near-empty bottles of whisky. Ultimately, it’s a fun track to have in the background; it’s neither all that radio-friendly nor memorable. Calvin Harris’s production techniques remain as invaluable as ever but there’s something about this mash-up that leaves you wanting for more. 

This latest feature hasn’t been announced as part of a recent album. The Weeknd’s last album After Hours arrived in March to overwhelming acclaim; the singer actually won an MTV Video Music award on August 30. Climbing his way to the upper echelons of the pop/R&B scene, it’s hardly surprising that Calvin Harris opted to feature his irresistible vocals. But the results are intriguing but miss the oomph that you’d expect from such a eye-catching collaboration.

 pop       r&b 

Author: Shaoni Das

Shaoni Das is a writer/editor currently based in Edmonton, Canada. She remains eager to inspect how the changing culture of music impacts upon the greater world.