CALVIN HARRIS – ‘LOVERS IN A PAST LIFE’

BY JANIN AYALA FELIX | FEBRUARY 16, 2024 | ELECTRONIC | TRACKS

Calvin Harris and Rag’n’Bone Man’s collaboration on “Lovers in a Past Life,” released February 16, 2024, is a masterful collision of Harris’ polished electronic production and Rag’n’Bone Man’s raw, soulful vocals. The track, included on Harris’ highly anticipated seventh studio album 96 Months, delivers a poignant fusion of modern dance music and rugged blues, offering something both haunting and undeniably danceable.

At its core, Lovers in a Past Life is a tale of spiritual connection transcending time and space, with Rag’n’Bone Man’s gravelly, commanding voice delivering the line “We’ve been here before, you and I / We were lovers in a past life” like a prophetic declaration. His vocal performance is both guttural and deeply emotional, perfectly complementing Harris’ atmospheric production.

Calvin Harris continues to expand his sonic palette here, blending his signature EDM elements—synthesizers, sequencers, and drum programming—with more organic textures. The result is a track that feels lush yet restrained, allowing Rag’n’Bone Man’s voice to take center stage. Harris’ use of subtle piano chords and ambient synth layers creates an almost cinematic backdrop that’s punctuated by sharp beats and crisp production, effortlessly balancing mood and energy. The track leans more into Harris’ recent shift toward more mature, emotive soundscapes, rather than the pure pop bangers of his earlier catalog.

However, what really sets Lovers in a Past Life apart is the slide guitar solo by Andrew Watt, a fiery departure from Harris’ usual electronic arsenal. Watt’s solo cuts through the mix with gritty precision, offering a bluesy edge that enhances the song’s mournful tone. His contributions extend beyond just the guitar, as he also adds subtle keyboard programming that enriches the track’s depth. Watt’s presence on the song brings a rock-infused energy that feels fresh and unexpected in the context of a Calvin Harris single.

The chemistry between Rag’n’Bone Man and Harris is undeniable. While Harris crafts a soundscape steeped in nostalgia and yearning, Rag’n’Bone Man grounds it with his weighty, soulful delivery. There’s a push-pull dynamic at play, with Harris’ production creating a sense of longing, and Rag’n’Bone Man’s vocals delivering a raw immediacy that feels almost cathartic. The chorus hits hard: “We were lovers in a past life, we’ll be lovers again / Just wait until we’re reborn, it’s a love that’ll never end.” It’s an anthem for those who believe in love’s ability to transcend lifetimes, wrapped in a beat that feels both intimate and anthemic.

“Lovers in a Past Life” may not be a festival-ready banger, but it finds its strength in its emotional resonance. It’s a song that invites listeners to lose themselves in its swirling atmosphere, while still providing enough groove to get lost on the dance floor. As Harris continues to evolve as a producer, Lovers in a Past Life shows that he’s more than capable of delivering tracks that are both introspective and universally appealing.

For fans of Calvin Harris and Rag’n’Bone Man alike, this track is a standout—melding genres, bending expectations, and providing a glimpse into Harris’ ever-growing versatility as an artist. While 96 Months is shaping up to be a genre-blurring project, Lovers in a Past Life stands out as a stirring highlight, a song that feels timeless in its exploration of love, loss, and the cyclical nature of relationships.

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