Motion (Calvin Harris album) explained

Motion
Type:studio
Artist:Calvin Harris
Cover:Calvin Harris - Motion.png
Recorded:2013–2014
Genre:
Length:55:46
Label:
Producer:
Prev Title:18 Months
Prev Year:2012
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Next Year:2017

Motion is the fourth studio album by Scottish DJ and record producer Calvin Harris, released on 31 October 2014 by Fly Eye and Columbia Records. The album includes collaborations with Ellie Goulding, Gwen Stefani, John Newman, Tinashe, Big Sean, Alesso, R3hab, Ummet Ozcan, Firebeatz, Hurts, Haim and All About She.

The album received mixed responses from critics. Motion debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart, with 37,325 copies sold in its first week. It debuted at number five on the Billboard 200 in the United States, and became Harris's second consecutive number-one album on the Dance/Electronic Albums chart. The album's first three singles—"Under Control", "Summer" and "Blame"—all topped the UK Singles Chart. Other singles released from the album include "Outside", "Open Wide" and "Pray to God".

Background

The album's title, artwork and release date were officially revealed on 25 September 2014.[2] On 5 October, Harris took to Twitter to announce a list of collaborators on the album, including Ellie Goulding, Ummet Ozcan, Big Sean, R3hab, Gwen Stefani, Haim, Tinashe and All About She.[3]

Singles

"Under Control", a collaborative track with Swedish DJ Alesso and English duo Hurts, was released on 7 October 2013 as the first single from Motion.[4] [5] The song debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart,[6] and charted inside the top 10 in Finland, Ireland, Norway and Sweden.[7] [8]

"Summer" was released on 14 March 2014 as the album's second single.[9] [10] It reached number one in the United Kingdom and Ireland,[8] [11] and charted within the top five in countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, Norway and Sweden.[12] [13] It also became Harris's highest-charting solo single on the Billboard Hot 100 at the time, peaking at number seven.[14]

"Blame" features vocals from English singer John Newman and was released on 7 September 2014 as the album's third single.[15] The song earned Harris his fifth number-one single as a lead artist (and seventh in total) on the UK Singles Chart.[16] Internationally, "Blame" peaked at number one in Finland, Norway and Sweden,[17] and reached number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100.[14]

"Outside" was released on 20 October 2014 as the album's fourth single, featuring English singer Ellie Goulding.[18] The single reached number six on the UK Singles Chart.[11] It also peaked at number one in Germany and Finland, while charting inside the top five in Ireland, Norway and Sweden, the top 10 in Australia and New Zealand, and the top 30 in the United States.[8] [14] [19]

"Open Wide", which features Big Sean, was originally released as the second promotional single from the album on 27 October 2014.[20] It is a vocal mix of the instrumental track "C.U.B.A", which was released on Beatport on 21 July 2014.[21] [22] The song peaked at number 23 on the UK Singles Chart.[11] "Open Wide" was sent to rhythmic contemporary radio in the United States on 27 January 2015 as the album's fifth single.[23]

"Pray to God", featuring American band Haim, was released on 6 March 2015 as the album's sixth and final single overall.[24] The song reached number 10 on the Australian Singles Chart and number 35 on the UK Singles Chart.[11] [25]

Promotional singles and other songs

"Slow Acid" was released as the first promotional single from the album on 15 October 2014.[26] The song reached number 86 on the UK Singles Chart.[11]

"Burnin'", a collaboration with Dutch DJ R3hab, was released as the album's second promotional single on 29 October 2014 through Beatport.[27]

"Overdrive", a collaboration with Dutch DJ Ummet Ozcan, was released as the album's third promotional single on 22 December 2014 through Beatport. It was renamed to "Overdrive (Part 2)" because it was slightly remixed.[28]

Despite not being released as a single, "Faith" reached number 31 on the US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart,[29] number 33 on the UK Dance Singles Chart[30] and number 178 on the French Singles Chart.[31]

Critical reception

Motion received mixed reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalised rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 57, based on nine reviews.[32] Glenn Gamboa of Newsday praised the album as an "EDM winner" and was complimentary of songs such as "Outside", "Pray to God" and "Open Wide".[33] Kyle Anderson of Entertainment Weekly wrote, "The best tracks on Motion [...] focus more on high-caliber vocals than on booty-blasting low end", adding that Harris's "largely straight-ahead approach will rankle EDM devotees who are searching for boundary-busting beats, but he's taking his chances with the most unpredictable technology of all: the human voice."[34] Mikael Wood of the Los Angeles Times opined, "For all the intensity he delivers on Motion, Harris is best [...] when he dials down the jock-jam vibe, as in 'Love Now' [...] and 'Ecstasy'". Wood also praised the guest appearances of Gwen Stefani and Haim, stating that "the presence of those strong women does wonders for Harris' amped-up music. They bring out the man, not the meathead, in the machine."[35] Elysa Gardner of USA Today remarked that "Harris' textural savvy is evident throughout, if his methods are hardly novel."[36]

At Billboard, Megan Buerger commented that although the album is "packed with all-too-predictable crowd-pleasers", it "also has a few surprises [...] that suggest [Harris is] a more dynamic producer than he lets on, one with a true appreciation of dance music's purer forms."[37] Despite noting that "there are occasional surprises" on the album, Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian concluded, "The big pop hooks and breakdowns are here, but there is little sense of Harris's personality."[38] AllMusic's Heather Phares was unimpressed, writing, "Despite a few bright moments, Motion is disappointingly bland—especially since Harris has made plenty of memorable electro-pop before and after his EDM makeover."[39] Similarly, Brent Faulkner of PopMatters found Motion to be "somewhat of a scattered album with some shining moments", but wrote that "Harris' production is sound and the material is pleasant if nothing more. It's not the biggest triumph of the year by any means, but Motion does whet the palate."[40] Nick Murray of Rolling Stone expressed that "Harris is updating his EDM template rather than coming close to reimagining it", while citing "It Was You", "Dollar Signs" and "Summer" as "the kind of superglossy, unexceptionally fun tunes that kids will dance to and rebel against in equal numbers."[41] Slant Magazines James Rainis complimented songs like "Blame" and "Together", but criticised "Faith" and "Open Wide", commenting, "Regrettably, such ear candy [as 'Blame'] is few and far between."[42]

Rolling Stone included Motion at number 15 on their list of the "20 Best Pop Albums of 2014".[43]

Commercial performance

Motion debuted at number two on the UK Albums Chart, selling 37,325 copies in its first week.[44] In the United States, it entered the Billboard 200 at number five with first-week sales of 35,000 copies, marking Harris's first top-10 album on the chart, as well as his best sales week in the US.[45] It also became his second album to top the Billboards Dance/Electronic Albums chart, following 18 Months (2012).[46] As of January 2015, the album had sold 66,000 copies in the US.[47] The album debuted at number two on the Canadian Albums Chart with 7,300 copies sold in its first week.[48]

Track listing

Notes

Personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Motion.[49]

Musicians

Technical

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2014–2024)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australian Dance Albums (ARIA)[50] 1
Japanese Albums (Oricon)[51] 25
Mexican Albums (AMPROFON)[52] 11
Slovak Albums (ČNS IFPI)[53] 56
South Korean Albums (Gaon)[54] 79

Year-end charts

Chart (2014)! scope="col"
Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[55] 74
Australian Dance Albums (ARIA)[56] 8
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[57] 41
Swedish Albums & Compilations (Sverigetopplistan)[58] 44
UK Albums (OCC)[59] 42
US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[60] 11
Chart (2015)! scope="col"
Position
Australian Albums (ARIA)[61] 95
Australian Dance Albums (ARIA)[62] 9
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Flanders)[63] 181
Belgian Albums (Ultratop Wallonia)[64] 151
Danish Albums (Hitlisten)[65] 24
Mexican Albums (AMPROFON)50
Swedish Albums (Sverigetopplistan)[66] 12
Swedish Albums & Compilations (Sverigetopplistan)[67] 14
UK Albums (OCC)[68] 44
US Billboard 200[69] 75
US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[70] 3
Chart (2016)! scope="col"
Position
Australian Dance Albums (ARIA)[71] 35
Chart (2017)! scope="col"
Position
US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[72] 21
Chart (2018)! scope="col"
Position
Australian Dance Albums (ARIA)[73] 48
US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[74] 25
Chart (2019)! scope="col"
Position
Australian Dance Albums (ARIA)[75] 26
Chart (2020)! scope="col"
Position
Australian Dance Albums (ARIA)[76] 15
US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[77] 24
Chart (2021)! scope="col"
Position
US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[78] 17
Chart (2022)! scope="col"
Position
US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[79] 13
Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Position
US Top Dance/Electronic Albums (Billboard)[80] 14

Release history

Region! scope="col"
DateFormatLabel
Australia31 October 2014Sony[81] [82]
Germany[83] [84]
Ireland[85] [86]
SwedenSony[87] [88]
France3 November 2014[89] [90]
United Kingdom[91] [92]
Italy4 November 2014Sony[93] [94]
United StatesColumbia[95] [96]
JapanDigital downloadSony[97]
12 November 2014CD[98]
United States14 April 2015LPColumbia[99]
France17 April 2015Sony[100]
Germany20 April 2015[101]
United Kingdom[102]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Harris . Ron . Calvin Harris' 'Motion' is passable electro-house . . 3 November 2014 . 31 January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402194838/https://www.yahoo.com/movies/s/calvin-harris-motion-passable-electro-house-185850483.html . 2 April 2015.
  2. Lipshutz . Jason . Calvin Harris' 'Motion' Album Gets Release Date . . 25 September 2014 . 12 August 2022.
  3. Web site: Corner . Lewis . Calvin Harris bags Gwen Stefani, Haim and Ellie Goulding for new album . . 6 October 2014 . 28 April 2019.
  4. Web site: Corner . Lewis . Calvin Harris, Alesso, Hurts Theo debut new single 'Under Control' – listen . Digital Spy . 5 August 2013 . 28 April 2019.
  5. Web site: Under Control: Calvin Harris & Alesso feat. Hurts: Téléchargements MP3 . . fr . France . 13 December 2014.
  6. Web site: Lane . Daniel . Calvin Harris, Alesso and Hurts knock Lily Allen off Number 1 . . 1 December 2013 . 13 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131215214332/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/calvin-harris-alesso-and-hurts-knock-lily-allen-off-number-1-2643/ . 15 December 2013.
  7. Web site: Calvin Harris / Alesso / Hurts – Under Control . nl . . 13 December 2014.
  8. Web site: Discography Calvin Harris . irish-charts.com . 13 December 2014.
  9. Web site: Summer (2014) Calvin Harris . . https://web.archive.org/web/20140808163357/http://www.zdigital.com.au/artist/calvin-harris/release/summer . 8 August 2014 . 13 December 2014.
  10. Web site: Corner . Lewis . Calvin Harris premieres new single 'Summer' – listen . Digital Spy . 14 March 2014 . 28 April 2019.
  11. Web site: Calvin Harris . Official Charts Company . 9 December 2015.
  12. Web site: Calvin Harris – Summer . nl . Ultratop . 13 December 2014.
  13. Calvin Harris Chart History (Billboard Canadian Hot 100) . Billboard . 7 January 2022.
  14. Calvin Harris Chart History (The Hot 100) . Billboard . 7 January 2022.
  15. Web site: Blame – Single by Calvin Harris . . United Kingdom . https://web.archive.org/web/20140817192412/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/blame-single/id909635003 . 17 August 2014 . 13 December 2014.
  16. Web site: Moss . Liv . Calvin Harris scores fifth Number 1! . Official Charts Company . 14 September 2014 . 13 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141006085723/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/calvin-harris-scores-fifth-number-1-3125/ . 6 October 2014.
  17. Web site: Calvin Harris feat. John Newman – Blame . nl . Ultratop . 13 December 2014.
  18. Web site: Outside (2014) Calvin Harris feat. Ellie Goulding . . United States . 13 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150128181147/https://us.7digital.com/artist/calvin-harris/release/outside . 28 January 2015.
  19. Web site: Calvin Harris feat. Ellie Goulding – Outside . nl . Ultratop . 13 December 2014.
  20. Web site: Open Wide [Explicit]

    Calvin Harris feat. Big Sean: MP3 Downloads ]

    . Amazon . United Kingdom . 13 December 2014.
  21. Lynch . Joe . Calvin Harris & Big Sean's 'Open Wide' Video: Guns, Blood & Ballet . Billboard . 27 October 2014 . 12 August 2022.
  22. Web site: C.U.B.A [Fly Eye Records] ]. . 13 December 2014.
  23. Web site: Top 40 Rhythmic Future Releases . All Access Music Group . 28 January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150130230409/http://www.allaccess.com/top40-rhythmic/future-releases . 30 January 2015.
  24. Web site: Pray to God (Calvin Harris vs Mike Pickering Hacienda Remix) [feat. HAIM] – Single by Calvin Harris ]. iTunes Store . Ireland . 12 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303173235/https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/pray-to-god-calvin-harris/id969538022 . 3 March 2016.
  25. Web site: Calvin Harris feat. Haim – Pray To God . australian-charts.com . 28 January 2015.
  26. Web site: Slow Acid (2014) Calvin Harris . 7digital . United States . 13 December 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150801181927/https://us.7digital.com/artist/calvin-harris/release/slow-acid/ . 1 August 2015.
  27. Web site: Burnin' [Fly Eye Records] ]. Beatport . 13 December 2014.
  28. Web site: Overdrive (Part 2)(Club Edit) . Beatport . 22 December 2014 . 4 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304111816/https://pro.beatport.com/track/overdrive-part-2-club-edit/6130989 . dead .
  29. Calvin Harris Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs) . Billboard . 7 January 2022.
  30. Web site: Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40 . Official Charts Company . 9–15 November 2014 . 12 March 2015.
  31. Web site: Calvin Harris – Faith . lescharts.com . fr . 12 March 2015.
  32. Web site: Reviews for Motion by Calvin Harris . . 27 November 2014.
  33. Web site: Gamboa . Glenn . Calvin Harris' 'Motion' review: An EDM winner . . 3 November 2014 . 27 November 2014.
  34. Anderson . Kyle . Motion Review . . 19 November 2014 . 28 April 2019.
  35. Web site: Wood . Mikael . Calvin Harris keeps jock jams pumping on 'Motion' . . 4 November 2014 . 27 November 2014.
  36. Web site: Gardner . Elysa . Album of the week: Calvin Harris' 'Motion' . . 3 November 2014 . 27 November 2014.
  37. Buerger . Megan . Album Review: Calvin Harris' 'Motion' Plays It Safe With Radio-Ready Cuts and It-Girl Guest Stars . Billboard . 4 November 2014 . 12 August 2022.
  38. Web site: Sullivan . Caroline . Calvin Harris: Motion review – bombast as usual . . 6 November 2014 . 27 November 2014.
  39. Web site: Phares . Heather . Motion – Calvin Harris . . 27 November 2014.
  40. Web site: Faulkner . Brent . Calvin Harris: Motion . . 18 November 2014 . 27 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141130002558/http://www.popmatters.com/review/187920-calvin-harris-motion/ . 30 November 2014.
  41. Murray . Nick . Calvin Harris: Motion . . 5 November 2014 . 28 April 2019.
  42. Web site: Rainis . James . Review: Calvin Harris, Motion . . 4 November 2014 . 28 April 2019.
  43. 20 Best Pop Albums of 2014 . Rolling Stone . 19 December 2014 . 28 April 2019.
  44. Web site: Jones . Alan . Official Charts analysis: Ed Sheeran pips Calvin Harris to No.1 on albums . . 10 November 2014 . 28 April 2019 . subscription.
  45. Caulfield . Keith . Taylor Swift's '1989' Spends Second Week at No. 1 on Billboard 200 Chart . Billboard . 12 November 2014 . 12 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141114165837/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6312375/taylor-swift-1989-second-week-no-1-bette-midler-calvin-harris . 14 November 2014.
  46. Murray . Gordon . Calvin Harris No. 1 on Dance/Electronic Songs & Albums Charts . Billboard . 14 November 2014 . 14 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141117144420/https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6319743/calvin-harris-no-1-dance-electronic-songs-albums-charts . 17 November 2014.
  47. Christman . Ed . Music in 2014: Taylor Takes the Year, Republic Records on Top, Streaming to the Rescue . Billboard . 9 January 2015 . 10 January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150111215344/https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/6436399/nielsen-music-soundscan-2014-taylor-swift-republic-records-streaming . 11 January 2015.
  48. Web site: Cross . Alan . Alan Cross . Weekly Music Sales Report and Analysis: 12 November 2014 . A Journal of Musical Things . 12 November 2014 . 14 November 2014.
  49. Motion . liner notes . . . 2014 . 88875008972.
  50. ARIA Dance – Week Commencing 10th November 2014 . . 1289 . 17 . 10 November 2014 . 19 July 2020 . . dead . https://webarchive.nla.gov.au/awa/20141112014700/http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/23790/20141112-1247/Issue1289.pdf . 12 November 2014.
  51. Web site: http://www.oricon.co.jp/prof/425062/products/1099889/1/ . ja:モーション カルヴィン・ハリス . Motion Calvin Harris . ja . . 9 December 2015.
  52. Web site: Los Más Vendidos 2015 . es . . 24 January 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160124221035/http://centrodedesarrollodigital.com/amprofonanual/100.php . 24 January 2016.
  53. Web site: Slovak Albums – Top 100. ČNS IFPI. May 15, 2024.
  54. Web site: 2014년 46주차 Album Chart . ko . . 9 December 2015.
  55. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2014 . Australian Recording Industry Association . 7 January 2022.
  56. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Dance Albums for 2014 . Australian Recording Industry Association . 7 January 2022.
  57. Web site: Årslista Album, 2014 . sv . . 1 November 2020.
  58. Web site: Årslista Album (inkl samlingar), 2014 . sv . Sverigetopplistan . 12 August 2022.
  59. Web site: End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2014 . Official Charts Company . 6 January 2016.
  60. Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2014 . Billboard . 11 December 2014.
  61. Web site: ARIA Top 100 Albums for 2015 . Australian Recording Industry Association . 7 January 2022.
  62. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Dance Albums for 2015 . Australian Recording Industry Association . 7 January 2022.
  63. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 2015 – Albums . Ultratop . 26 June 2020.
  64. Web site: Rapports annuels 2015 – Albums . Ultratop . 26 June 2020.
  65. Web site: Album Top-100 2015 . Hitlisten.NU . da . 1 January 2016.
  66. Web site: Årslista Album, 2015 . sv . Sverigetopplistan . 1 November 2020.
  67. Web site: Årslista Album (inkl samlingar), 2015 . sv . Sverigetopplistan . 12 August 2022.
  68. Web site: End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 2015 . Official Charts Company . 12 August 2022.
  69. Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2015 . Billboard . 9 December 2015.
  70. Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2015 . Billboard . 9 December 2015.
  71. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Dance Albums for 2016 . Australian Recording Industry Association . 7 January 2022.
  72. Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2017 . Billboard . 22 December 2017.
  73. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Dance Albums for 2018 . Australian Recording Industry Association . 7 January 2022.
  74. Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2018 . Billboard . 26 June 2020.
  75. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Dance Albums for 2019 . Australian Recording Industry Association . 7 January 2022.
  76. Web site: ARIA Top 50 Dance Albums for 2020 . Australian Recording Industry Association . 7 January 2022.
  77. Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2020 . Billboard . 18 December 2020.
  78. Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2021 . Billboard . 7 January 2022.
  79. Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2022 . Billboard . 16 April 2023.
  80. Top Dance/Electronic Albums – Year-End 2023. Billboard. 24 November 2023.
  81. Web site: Motion . . 9 November 2014.
  82. Web site: Motion (Explicit) (2014) Calvin Harris . zdigital . https://web.archive.org/web/20141109221659/http://www.zdigital.com.au/artist/calvin-harris/release/motion-explicit . 9 November 2014 . 9 November 2014.
  83. Web site: Motion . Amazon . de . Germany . 9 November 2014.
  84. Web site: Motion [Explicit]

    Calvin Harris: MP3-Downloads ]

    . Amazon . de . Germany . 9 November 2014.
  85. Web site: Harris,calvin – Motion . Tower Records Ireland . 9 November 2014.
  86. Web site: Motion (Explicit) (2014) Calvin Harris . 7digital . Ireland . 9 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141109221940/http://ie.7digital.com/artist/calvin-harris/release/motion-explicit . 9 November 2014.
  87. Web site: Motion – Album – Harris Calvin . select "Fakta" tab . CDON . sv . Sweden . 9 November 2014.
  88. Web site: Motion (Explicit) (2014) Calvin Harris . 7digital . Sweden . 9 November 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141109223240/http://se.7digital.com/artist/calvin-harris/release/motion-explicit . 9 November 2014.
  89. Web site: Motion – Calvin Harris – CD album . fr . . 9 November 2014.
  90. Web site: Motion [Explicit]

    Calvin Harris: Téléchargements MP3 ]

    . Amazon . fr . France . 9 November 2014.
  91. Web site: Motion by Calvin Harris . Amazon . United Kingdom . 9 November 2014.
  92. Web site: Motion [Explicit]

    Calvin Harris: MP3 Downloads ]

    . Amazon . United Kingdom . 9 November 2014.
  93. Web site: Calvin Harris – Motion . it . IBS.it . 9 November 2014.
  94. Web site: Motion [Explicit]

    Calvin Harris: Musica Digitale ]

    . Amazon . it . Italy . 9 November 2014.
  95. Web site: Calvin Harris: Motion . Amazon . United States . 9 November 2014.
  96. Web site: Motion [Explicit]

    Calvin Harris: MP3 Downloads ]

    . Amazon . United States . 9 November 2014.
  97. Web site: モーション: Calvin Harris: MP3 Downloads . Amazon . ja . Japan . 9 November 2014.
  98. Web site: http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/calvinharris/discography/SICP-4337 . ja:モーション . Motion . ja . . 9 November 2014.
  99. Web site: Motion (Vinyl) . Amazon . United States . 2 May 2016.
  100. Web site: Motion (Album vinyle) . Amazon . fr . France . 2 May 2016.
  101. Web site: Motion [Vinyl LP] ]. Amazon . de . Germany . 2 May 2016.
  102. Web site: Motion [VINYL] ]. Amazon . United Kingdom . 2 May 2016.