Calvin Harris is closing out the season with ‘Ocean,’ a late-summer smash featuring Jessie Reyez’s striking vocals. The track carries some history; first previewed in May of last year with Miley Cyrus on vocals, it quickly became one of Harris’ most talked-about unreleased cuts. Fans have been adamant in calling for the Cyrus version, but Harris has since clarified it will never see an official release, stating simply, “It’s not possible.” In its final form, ‘Ocean’ finds new life with Reyez, whose delicate songwriting and delivery blend seamlessly with Harris’ polished production, giving the song both immediacy and staying power.
Soon after the success of his previous summer anthem, ‘Blessings,’ Harris follows up with a shimmering collision of his signature uplifting, sun-soaked production and Reyez’s raw, bittersweet lyricism. Built around a saccharine guitar riff that floats over a steady, understated house groove, the track finds a rare balance of being instantly catchy while still carrying emotional substance. The push and pull between its propulsive, euphoric melody and Reyez’s haunting, intimate vocal delivery is what sets ‘Ocean’ apart, elevating it from a standard dance/pop track into something more evergreen.
