Deadmau5 has never dipped his toes into the pop pool as thoroughly as many of his fellow electronic producers, but on Wednesday (May 20), the Canadian artist born Joel Zimmerman dives into the deep end via a collaboration with The Neptunes, the venerable production duo made up of Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams.
The result of their efforts is “Pomegranate,” a smooth, fairly funky and deeply R&B infused track that’s distinctly different from most of the deadmau5 catalog. It trades melodic techno for sultry R&B-leaning beats that evoke both Calvin Harris’ “Feels” and 2013’s enduring “Lose Yourself to Dance,” which found Pharrell collabing with fellow dance royalty Daft Punk.
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Production on “Pomegranate” commenced this past December in Miami, where deadmau5 and The Neptunes convened at North Miami’s Criteria Recording Studios for a session that formed the track’s foundation. Five months later, the unlikely pairing has resulted in what could very well be the song you’ll hear most during summer BBQs and pool parties — even if they’re only happening via Zoom.
“Pomegranate” is out via deadmau5′ mau5trap label, and will appear on the next deadmau5 album. Listen to the track below.