Collaborations between Black Prez and Shaun Reynolds are usually ebullient ones. They’re last together was literally called ‘Feel Good’. No surprise then that their latest single – ‘Move To This (The Curley Shuffle)’ – sees them ride the crest of the most rhythmic of grooves in this late-summer ode to the joys of dancing to a beat.
Black Prez is Berlin-based while Shaun Reynolds resides in the UK. They’ve enjoyed success as individuals, but they revealed a shared energy upon releasing their single ‘Feel Good’. The two spent most of that single’s accompanying video goofing around, pretending, amongst other things, to dodge green screen aeroplanes and impersonating dinosaurs.
This loveable oddball energy returns with ‘Move To This (The Curley Shuffle)’. It’s a gloriously playful single, but a smart one too. Reynolds’ production is classy. It’s packed with ‘50s-style string runs and Daft Punk disco beats.
The instrumental lushness continues elsewhere. Watery pianos wrap verses together and there’s a saxophone solo to conclude. Reynolds uses a throwback feeling to create something beyond pastiche. As a result things sound paradoxically fresh but familiar.
Rapping over this is Black Prez. Sounding like he’s performing a hip-hop equivalent to the relentlessly positive dance numbers in Gerwig’s Barbie, it’s as if you can hear him smiling.
But above all it’s catchy. The straightforward song structure makes for a defined chorus that it instantly memorable. It’s consistently joyous, engaging and perhaps most importantly of all, exactly the right amount of silly.
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