With over 25 years in the game, the man they call Beck has proven time and time again to be one of pop music’s most versatile, innovative artists. That’s not just in relation to his own creations, either – he’s been sought out as a collaborator for a myriad of stars from pop, rock, dance and even comedy.
Whether a guest vocalist, a songwriter or even both, Beck always knows how to make his presence felt. The collaborative spirit of Beck is certainly a big part of Colors, his 13th (!) studio album, which arrived last Friday – and has proven to be one of his absolute best.
The entire record was co-written and co-produced by Greg Kurstin, a man who goes way back with Beck – over 20 years, in fact. When Beck was first breaking through as an international star on the back of ‘Loser’ and his album, Mellow Gold, Kurstin was one half of Geggy Tah, an also-ran psych-pop band that were signed to David Byrne’s record label.
Beck’s new video for title track ‘Colors’ is ridiculously satisfying to watch
It’s said that Geggy Tah’s only major hit, ‘Whoever You Are,’ was indebted to Beck and the sound he was pursuing on the Mellow Gold record. Rather than be tarred as a rip-off artist, however, consider Beck and Kurstin as kindred spirits – two restless, versatile songwriters that will go wherever their own whims will take them.
In the 2000s, the two continued on their respective paths – Beck would create some of his most acclaimed work in Sea Change and Guero, while Kurstin took to working with pop heavyweights such as Lily Allen, Britney Spears, and Sia. It was a duet with Sia, in fact, that would lead Beck and Kurstin to work together for the very first time.
While few may remember the 2014 remake of the classic musical Annie, it would regardless sew the seeds for Kurstin and Beck to finally work together one-on-one. So began the two-year process of piecing Colors together, starting with the single ‘Dreams’ back in 2015 – itself yet another surprise turn for Beck, following the more subdued, morose nature of previous LP Morning Phase.
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New single ‘Up All Night’ is some of the best pop Beck has ever produced
Throw in some extra writing work from Miike Snow frontman Andrew Wyatt – whose own music would certainly be indebted to the artistry of someone like Beck – and you’ve got a fascinating concoction that serves as testament to Beck’s own Madonna-level abilities to adapt and reinvent.
With Colors finally out in the world to listen to right here, we’ve decided to go back through some of Beck’s finest features, cameos and collaborations.
The Chemical Brothers – ‘Wide Open’ ft. Beck
The stand-out track on the Brothers’ most recent LP, Born In The Echoes, was easily its closing number. Beck emotes over a bright, shuffling beat; detailing the demise of a partnership with the sombre tones that can only come from someone who’s been through this sort of Sea Change before.
The Lonely Island – ‘Attracted To Us’
Who better to get in on a Mutations/Midnite Vultures pastiche than the man who made those records? This goofy number from the greatest fake MCs on earth sees them flirting hard – “but you’re never gonna get it,” they warn, “…because we’re shy!” A worthy inclusion purely to hear Beck sing the line “We know you want our bodies.” Hot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_-nG7jbhMU
Sia – ‘The Bully’
Ten years before ‘Chandelier’ made her a megastar, Sia was content with simply being an indie darling; delivering such heartbreakers as ‘Breathe Me,’ and ‘Numb’ from the mesmerising Colour The Small One. Beck was a co-writer on one of the more lush, introspective numbers from the album, and would go on to work with Sia several more times over the years.
While both artists have been responsible for plenty of heartfelt and upbeat songs, it’s seeing the two of them focus their efforts on something on the deeper end of the emotional spectrum that proves to be the most fruitful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqm03cwFvsU
Pink & William Orbit – ‘Feel Good Time’
While most may only remember Destiny’s Child and their classic ‘Independent Women’ from the Charlie’s Angels soundtrack, perhaps this effort from angsty chart-topper turned perennial Mother’s Day gift Pink will prick your ears with recognition.
The track was originally planned to be a Beck song in collaboration with veteran producer William Orbit – you can absolutely hear a song like this fitting into what was to be Beck’s next solo effort, Guero. Giving the song to Pink diplomatically, it stands as one of her most underrated singles to date some 15 years later. Real good.
Macy Gray – ‘It Ain’t The Money’ ft. Pharoahe Monch
One of Beck’s more low-key cameos – quite literally, in this instance. Hear the mumbling voice doing a call-and-response with Gray in the chorus? Yep, it’s your boy. That’s him playing guitar on there and doing the bridge, too. His low-energy presence on a song that very clearly slaps is entertaining enough on its own, but this unlikely trio somehow make the whole thing work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q-gGmAzq3Y
Eddie Vedder/Pearl Jam – ‘Sleepless Nights’
A rarity – even by Pearl Jam’s standards. This was used as a B-side to Pearl Jam’s annual holiday 7-inch in 2002. Here, Beck provides ample harmonies in a lovely Everley Brothers cover alongside Pearl Jam’s fearless leader, Eddie Vedder.
Vedder would later go on to record this song for a solo record, and would duet the song with The Frames’ Glen Hansard. There’s something really special, however, about this recording; pitting two alt-rock heroes of the ’90s together in the most unlikely of environments.
Air – ‘The Vagabond’
Before he got cosy with The Chemical Brothers, Beck had previously teamed up with another iconic duo from the electronic music world. ‘The Vagabond’ is heavenly, from its harmonica-driven intro to its succinct conclusion. It plays into the groove Beck is best known for, while holding onto the summery flutter of songs like Air’s ‘Playground Love’ or ‘Cherry Blossom Girl’.
The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion – ‘Flavor’
In the year that Beck cracked stardom with the release of ‘Loser’ and the Mellow Gold record, he also showed up unexpectedly on Orange, album number five from The Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. In a non-sequitur that needs to be heard to be believed, Beck raps down the phoneline and nails his verse in a single take.
It’s enough to get Spencer himself to yell at him, over and over, “You got the flavour!” Truth be told, the Blues Explosion would have been one of the very first to acknowledge that about Mr. Beck Hansen.
The North American Hallowe’en Prevention Initiative – ‘Do They Know It’s Hallowe’en?’
Did you know Beck sings on one of the spookiest charity singles of all time – if not the? He’s in there among the likes of David Cross, Feist, Thurston Moore, Karen O, Arcade Fire… even Stevo32, who used to drum for Sum 41, is in there somewhere.
Beck chants “All fed up/We’ve had enough/Enough! Enough! Enough!” as things ascend to the next level of haunted. It’s an indie kid’s dream ensemble, it’s hilarious, it’s catchy and all the proceeds went to UNICEF. What’s not to love? Not a thing.
Beck – ‘The World Is Something New To Me’
Our story concludes with perhaps the most obscure credit to Beck’s name: The Rugrats Movie. As the Rugrats explore a hospital, they come across a room full of babies – who just happen to have the voices of people like Iggy Pop, Cypress Hill, The B-52s, Patti Smith and The Violent Femmes’ Gordon Gano. That’s just naming a few!
Warning: There’s a disturbing rainbow in the clip taken from the film. Viewer discretion is advised on that one. Otherwise, this is an entirely charming and adorable song – who’d have guessed those babies would grow up to be pop-culture icons?
Beck’s thirteenth studio album Colors is out now through Capitol Records, and can be found in special coloured vinyl packs, as well as digitally.
