On their second full-length release “Free the Universe”, Major Lazer deliver an eclectic variety of dancehall fusions and bring in a large group of collaborators to add vocals and production. At the reigns is Diplo, a Mississippi-born, LA-based DJ/Producer best known for his work with M.I.A. and his production on recent Beyonce, Chris Brown and Snoop Lion tracks. Originally formed along with DJ/Producer Switch, the duo parted ways in 2009 with DJ/Producer Jillionaire and Walshy Fire joining the group on the latest release.
Most of the songs on Free the Universe are packed full of thumping dancehall beats and reggae rhythms that are sure to get bodies moving on dance floors and in living rooms but there are a few exceptions to the formula that stand out. On ‘Jessica’, Vampire Weekend’s lead-singer Ezra Koenig adds vocals to a slinky beach-side reggae jam that’s highly infectious and borderline stalker-ish. Koenig obsesses over an earthly goddess (who may or may not be rich and Jewish), imagining himself a zealous dog but promising “You can let me off of the leash/ I wont come near ya.” It’s probably not a good idea to trust him on that one.
The vibe is even stranger on “Get Free”, a spaced-out track featuring vocals by Amber Coffman of the eccentric indie-rock band Dirty Projectors. An airy organ riff and lots of reverb and atmospherics pair well with Coffman’s avant-garde style and the track feels like a radically unique breath of fresh air. Her lyrics smartly riff on themes of oppression common to reggae music as she sings in the chorus “Look at me/ I just can’t believe/ What they’ve done to me/…I just wanna dream!”
There are plenty of other tracks to choose from on “Free the Universe” that follow a more traditional formula while adding well-placed flourishes. ‘Watch Out For This (Bumaye)’ features a crisp beat, choice Jamaican rapping and a great horn section. ‘Scare Me’ and ‘Jah No Partial’ are other standouts on an album that bangs from front to back and rarely disappoints.
