Initially a collaboration between producers Diplo (MIA, Santigold, Amanda Blank, Die Antwoord) and Switch (MIA, Santigold, Beyonce, Xtina), Major Lazer’s debut was the summer album of 2009. A dance album that blended reggae, dubstep, reggaton, and dancehall, Guns Don’t Kill People was an eclectic, refreshing, and quite frankly, fun album perfect for block parties, beach bonfires, and sweaty, sweaty clubs. Aside form the occasional remix EP, the duo has been rather silent since. Free the Universe (Secretly Canadian) breaks that [...]
Ezra Koenig Gets a Little Weird on Major Lazer’s “Jessica”
Vampire Weekend meets reggae on Major Lazer’s new choon.
Will Usher’s “Go Missin’” Want To Make You Join The Witness Protection Program?
Usher and Diplo try to follow up on the success of “Climax” with a new song called “Go Missin’.” Can lightning strike twice?
The Singles Bar: Marsha Ambrosius, “Cold War”
Marsha Ambrosius continues to bring the heat, previewing her upcoming album with a track entitled “Cold War.”
Spin Cycle: Santigold’s “Master of My Make Believe”
Santigold’s (a.k.a. Santi White, formerly Santogold ) 2008 debut was easily my favorite album of that year. Indeed, there was much to love about the album, with its unabashed nods to new wave while tossing in dashes of reggae, pop, and hip hop. I played the hell out of the album in the summer months, which were a personal transition for me as I migrated from Iowa City (my home of four years) to Baltimore. (I had the pleasure of [...]
The Viewfinder: Usher’s “Climax”
OK, Usher. You’ve made a listenable song for the first time in what seems like years. Now what do you want to do for a video? Well, it turns out that the video for the Diplo-produced “Climax” is pretty damn interesting. I’m not totally sure what’s going on here, but it definitely unfolds in a way that keeps your eyes glued to the screen. Plus, the song is still dope. When did Usher decide it was cool to rock the [...]
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