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Major Lazer, the group containing ‘superstar DJ’ Diplo, amongst others, has returned after a few years away with a fire spitting new album that promises much, especially considering it’s featured guest line up, but does it actually deliver? Well… Sort of?
The album is only 32 minutes long, and is heavy, fast and in your face, plus it’s able to avoid sounding tired due to mix of genres, different sounds and pace. From moombahton, to electro house, there’s a wide range that should please everyone in a relatively short space of time.
Be Together starts the album in an interesting way, it’s a solid song and the vocals of Wild Bell certainly do work. On that note, all featuring artists generally give good performances, Ellie Goulding especially.
The only blemish is 2 Chainz who gives a predictably dull, tired and not at all interesting rap on the song Night Riders where he brags about his condo…
When this album is good, it’s very good. Lean On, the song that is at the time of writing, the number 1 song in the UK, is monstrously addictive and enjoyable.
The presence of DJ Snake takes it up tenfold, he’s on a role when it comes to making hits, and he’s showing no signs of stopping.
Songs such as Too Original, Blaze Up The Fire and Roll The Bass are absolutely made for the festival and club scene and stand out on this album, it’s Diplo’s forte. To some, they may sound overdone and perhaps even unoriginally boring, but for me it was enjoyable but nothing amazing at the same time, as is the case with most Electro House.
Light It Up is another example of this, however some may find themselves disagreeing with this song due to its lack of syncopation and simple randomness when compared to the rest.
The only songs I didn’t like where Powerful, although held up by Goulding’s impressive vocals, it doesn’t really go anywhere, and ends up following its own tail due to the repetitiveness of the chorus and rather abrupt ending. Night Riders also falls foul of the same issues, Pusha T’s great verse does liven it up somewhat in the middle, but not enough for me to enjoy the song overall.
Take this as something you’ll enjoy casually and not look too deep into it and you have something fun and energetic. It’s nothing special, but when Diplo and his ghost producers get it right, you can have some real fun with this album.
If you’re ever struggling for something to throw on the speakers on a Saturday night, give it a go; it has something for everyone in the room.
3/5.