There’s something kinda ridiculous about Diplo and Mark Ronson naming their first Silk City track “Only Can Get Better.” Released in May, the inoffensive, summery-sweet song relies on a slightly funky synth bassline and a tweaked and twisted hook sung by Aussie Daniel Merriweather. It was a soft but steady salute to feel-good house music, not the bold banger one might expect from such a super-producer team-up. Would the next release actually get better?
The short answer is yes. For “Feel About You,” the dynamic duo brings in little-known Swedish-American vocalist Mapei for some stronger, resonating lines that float above an intricately layered groove incorporating sounds of marimba and plucky disco strings. The track starts with a few unassuming piano chords and slowly builds upon itself, always dipping back into the rhythm and never threatening to explode with an EDM-style drop. The composers let Mapei’s soulful vocals star just like they did in the dance-radio hits of the late ’80s and early ’90s.
Diplo hinted at this new musical project last summer, but Silk City was only officially announced in January, leaving little time to speculate on what kind of sounds would emerge from their combined efforts. It’s safe to say everything Silk City creates will be catchy and radio-ready and “Feel About You” is primed to take over the clubs for the rest of summer.
