7

構成数 : 2枚
合計収録時間 : 01:29:30
Photographer: Ellen Von Unwerth. At the height of the early-2010s EDM boom, French producer David Guetta pumped out hit after hit before the formulaic pop-singer-plus-big-beat combination became ubiquitous and repetitive. Even Guetta began losing steam: 2011's Nothing But the Beat and 2014's Listen housed a handful of standouts, but the DJ seemed to be on autopilot. On 2018's aptly titled seventh set, 7, Guetta entered a free-spirited, late-era comfort zone, making music for the fun of it instead of chasing another radio smash. On this celebratory album, tracks progress like a festival headlining set, building nicely before an unrelenting middle stretch that winds down the euphoria at the close of its 15 tracks. For revelers who prefer partying until the break of dawn, there's also a second disc of deep house delivered by alter ego Jack Back, which returns Guetta to his underground roots on a viscerally satisfying mix that ends with the massive Chris Willis assist "Just a Little More Love." On 7's main showcase, Guetta assembled another trademark roster of marquee talent from the worlds of pop and hip-hop. Up-and-comers like Anne-Marie, Madison Beer, Saweetie, Stefflon Don, and Ava Max have their time to shine alongside Bebe Rexha, Nicki Minaj, Jess Glynne, and frequent Guetta muse Sia, who delivers a pair of highlights on "Light Headed" and "Flames." Other standouts include Moroccan-Canadian singer/songwriter Faouzia's turn on the epic, shiver-inducing "Battle," which soars atop her mighty vocals; Justin Bieber's glittery "2U"; the urgent collaboration with Black Coffee and Delilah Montagu, "Drive"; and the booming "Like I Do," on which Guetta, Martin Garrix, and Dutch DJ Brooks blow the roof off the big room in one of 7's most overwhelming moments. Not since his breakthrough on 2009's One Love has Guetta sounded as uplifted or invested. 7 is a pure joy to experience and a reminder that Guetta is still a master of the genre. ~ Neil Z. Yeung