Recording information: E Production Studio, Amsterdam; Eye Studio, London, UK; Hit Factory Criteria Studios, Miami, FL; Longwell Udios; Megaforce Studio; South Beath Studios, Miami Beach, FL.
Hoping to recapture the success they had when they commissioned Calvin Harris to write "Let's Go" in conjunction with the 2012 European Cup competition, soft drink giant Pepsi step up their musical ambitions with Beats of the Beautiful Game. Featuring artists like Santigold, Janelle Mone, and Kelly Rowland, the album featured 11 pop tracks meant to inspire during the lead-up to the 2014 World Cup competition in Brazil. The album also serves as a companion piece to a series of short films Pepsi commissioned, with big names like Spike Lee and Idris Elba stepping behind the camera to create videos based on each of the songs featured here. Promotional tie-ins aside, Beats of the Beautiful Game is an album of uplifting pop that'll make for some great summertime listening regardless of soda preference or your love of soccer. ~ Gregory Heaney
