Papooz - “IT HURTS ME”
Photo by Olga du Saillant
French duo Papooz pay homage to the era of the dancefloor with the disco-infused “IT HURTS ME.”
“IT HURTS ME” is built around an infectious four-on-the-floor drum beat that is reminiscent of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons’ “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night).” This automatically gives the composition a lively and danceable vibe, which is hard to resist. Just like all great disco tracks, the groove is enhanced by hi-hat grooves, handclaps, and other percussive elements.
Electric guitar with the signature Nile Rodgers “chucking” enhances the groove with tight rhythmic stabs whilst a funky, dirty bass line pulses vibrantly underneath. Filling in the remaining spaces are mellow synth keys that really enhance the vintage tones with splashes of sophistication and polish.
Just when you feel ready to get on the dancefloor, the arrangement pulls back to just the drum groove and vocals. This gloriously emphasises the track’s rhythm and builds a wonderful sense of tension and excitement. This is all before we get to the lush, carefree, and melodic vocals that really set the track alight. Supported by harmonising backing vocals, the track is brimmed full of vintage good vibes.
“IT HURTS ME” by Papooz is quite simply a classic disco banger filled with infectious rhythms and carefree vocals. The song is taken from the new album, RESONATE, which is out now.