Major Lazer’s new EP, Apocalypse Soon, could be called “more of the same”–but when sameness means wild new sounds and guest appearances by producers from all over the globe, it’s actually nothing to groan about.
Major Lazer’s new EP, Apocalypse Soon, could be called “more of the same”–but when sameness means wild new sounds and guest appearances by producers from all over the globe, it’s actually nothing to groan about.
Diplo, Jillionaire, and Walshy Fire have a knack for bringing in huge names who make things unilaterally awesome (see: Terry Crews as Major Lazer himself in the “Scare Me” video). Apocalypse Soon wastes no time giving the people what they want, leading off with “Aerosol Can,” featuring Pharrell. It’s probably the only song to ever feature both shaker cans rattling and Super Mario sound effects.
Keeping things within the Artists-Who-Won-Grammys-In-The-Mid-2000s-But-Disappeared-For-A-While family, the next song features Sean Paul! That’s right, the Jamaican dancehall artist who once brought us “Get Busy” and “Temperature” is back, on “Come On To Me.” Half-step drops and “dem bows” make me want to say it could be called moombahton, but it might be a little too fast-paced. And just like every other Sean Paul song, I can’t understand a word he says–but I love them all the same.
The lyrics for the next track, “Sound Bang,” featuring Machel Montano, are listed as:
“When the sound bang we gon party
Til the sun come, oh aye!
We go all night when we raving
And we don’t stop, no way!”
I agree, Machel. I agree. Those lyrics about sum up the type of debauchery and energy “Sound Bang” offers.
Apocalypse Soon is rounded out with “Lose Yourself” and “Dale Asi” featuring RDX & Moska, and Mr. Fox, respectively. Each is a bit repetitive, but interesting enough to keep you from hitting the skip button. “Lose Yourself” already has a video out, and it’s got about everything you would expect from a Major Lazer video (though it sadly lacks Terry Crews).
Listening to Major Lazer and their Brazilian, Trinidadian and Jamaican sounds makes me feel all worldly and cultured, but it also makes me want to take bottles of Appleton Estate to the face and dance like hell. Either way, Apocalypse Soon gives off the groovy energy only Major Lazer can provide, and it’ll be on repeat for me as the weather warms up.
Apocalypse Soon is out now on Mad Decent. Order it from iTunes HERE, and stream it in full below:
