The Weeknd Releases a Full Blown Funk Jam With Max Martin (Audio)

The last few years have brought a resurgence in 70s Soul and Disco, from the good vibes of Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky,” featuring Mr. Disco, himself, Nile Rogers, to Robin Thicke’s Marvin Gaye-influenced “Blurred Lines.” However, the last few months have spawned several hits influenced by 80s R&B, Dancehall and Funk, whether it’s Omarion’s “Post to Be,” which features an interpolation of Chaka Demus & Pliers “Murder She Wrote” or Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ heavily Prince-influenced “Uptown Funk.” Now, The Weeknd and Pop hitmaker Max Martin have joined the party and they have turned the Funk knob up several notches.

“I Can’t Feel My Face” features an unexpected sound from both The Weeknd and Martin. The artist born Abel Tesfaye sheds his penchant for ballads, oft melancholy, for a vocal performance that fully showcases his Michael Jackson influences. Similarly, Martin who is typically associated with Pop megastars like Britney Spears, N’Sync, P!nk and Katy Perry, completely abandons that polished sound, in favor of a much heavier groove.

This is everything you’d expect from a Summer song–infectious heat, marinated perfectly to power the sonics of BBQs from now until Labor Day. Check it out.

Related: The Weeknd Uses Wrecks & Explosions To Symbolize A Twisted Love (Video)