Well known in EDM circles, Scottish producer Calvin Harris has built a name for himself as a mainstream artist that leans into funk licks. After years building a career around pop-EDM hybridizing and numerous billboard hits, he released 2017's Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1. Styled as a "distillation of the sounds of summer" in funk form, the album was a marked departure from his previous music.

This change was received extremely well, and is regarded highly among his fans. The vinyl release of the album has since become highly collectible, often reselling for $200 or more due to its rarity. With the release of Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2 in August 2022, the 2017 release has become relevant once again.

What is Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1?

Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 is an album by Scottish producer and EDM artist Calvin Harris. Well known for his talent at creating billboard hits in the EDM genre, Harris' work on Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 would mark a departure from EDM.

Featuring many high profile collaborators like Travis Scott, Young Thug, Pharrell Williams, Lil Yachty, and Snoop Dogg, the album is a blend of bass-bopping funk and clever sampling reminiscent of his EDM work. Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 was actually Harris' first album to feature no vocals from himself.

When did Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 come out?

Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 was released on June 30, 2017. Within the first week, the album had sold nearly 90,000 copies, his most successful release at that point. It debuted as number two on both the UK Albums chart and on the US Billboard 200.

It would be followed up with Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2, released on August 5, 2022. Harris teased the release of the follow-up in the months before its release.

How was Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 released?

In addition to streaming services, Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 was also produced on CD and vinyl. The vinyl release is particularly interesting because it was quite rare. Sales of the album on sites like Discogs usually top $200, and discussion around the vinyl usually centers around how hard it is to find.

Additionally, 3,000 copies of the vinyl were autographed by Harris himself. These added considerable value to an already hyped release.

Why did the Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 Vinyl resell?

The vinyl primarily resells because it’s very hard to find. Specific production numbers are hard to find, but even at the time of release, people were complaining about missing out on it. Five years later, it's not like things have gotten any easier, and the aftermarket price remains high.

Over the years, there have been a few sporadic restocks of the vinyl, but in very limited numbers, usually around 100-200 copies.

Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1's vinyl also resells because it was an extremely popular album, and very distinct from Harris' previous work. While he is well known for mainstream EDM hits like "How Deep is Your Love?", Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1 was a departure from that style. It featured a heavy funk influence, as well as a stronger focus on collaboration.

This distinction from his previous releases makes the album stand out, especially among EDM producers as a whole. Additionally, the vinyl fit in well with the funk aspect of the album, making it more desirable to fans.

Will Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2 resell?

It's hard to tell if Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2 will have the same success as its predecessor. While it is also seeing a vinyl pressing, it seems as though these will be produced in significantly greater numbers than 2017's pressing.

Considering the success of the original Funk Wav Bounces, the increased production of vinyl should come at no surprise. Like the album itself, 2017's vinyl pressing was likely experimental. Vinyl releases are by no means unheard of for modern music, but they are more expensive to produce than CDs and digital sales. For such a dramatic shift from previous albums, the vinyl versions were likely underproduced in case of a flop.

While that obviously didn't happen, it's the main cause for 2017's vinyl being so valuable. With the release of Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2 in 2022, Harris' team is aware of the popularity of 2017's vinyl, and will want to take advantage of this.

Increased production and sales of vinyl is obviously very profitable for Harris but the same cannot be said for resellers. With more albums in circulation, there is less demand and less scarcity to take advantage of. While it's impossible to say with certainty whether or not something will resell in the future, vinyl editions of Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2 should be looked at with caution.

It's probably best not to go all-in on this one, but if you want to pick up a few just in case, it can't hurt.

What do you think? Were you there for 2017's vinyl release, or did you miss out? If you're looking for more ways to get into reselling, we have you covered. Check out our other articles for the best items to resell, and good flips to watch out for.