117. Major Lazer feat Flux Pavilion – Jah No Partial
Posted: April 27, 2013 Filed under: #hotfor2013, dubstep, reggae | Tags: a song a day, bass, beyonce, diplo, dubstep, flux pavilion, free the universe, guns don't kill people, jah no partial, lazers do, major lazer, pon de floor, reggae, run the world 1 Comment
Interplanetary reggaetrapdubstep botherers Major Lazer (made up of Diplo, Jillionaire and Walshy Fire) are on their second album “Free The Universe”, following on from “Guns Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do”. It’s actually far more accessible in places than the first, but that freedom is probably the reason why they chose to stay on independent labels rather than team up with a major (given the success of “Pon De Floor”, they would’ve had no trouble getting a deal).
This is a classic hybrid track with a dubstep drop, which for once from them, actually makes musical sense. This in part is down to Flux Pavilion’s “guest” appearance, I’m assuming to bring some bass sensibilities to the table. Prone to madness behind the synthery, this actually gives a feel of a track that’ll hit up clubland for the next 6 months, perhaps with a longer edit for the bass. Nevertheless, despite all their fame, they’re yet to see much sales success so it’ll be interesting to see how things progress.
3 is the magic number
115. Snoop Lion feat Mavado & Popcaan – Lighters Up
Posted: April 25, 2013 Filed under: #hotfor2013, reggae | Tags: #hotfor2013, a song a day, david guetta, diplo, dre skull, lighters up, major lazer, mavado, popcaan, reggae, reincarnated, snoop dog, snoop lion, sweat Leave a comment
From Snoop’s new and nottotallybadandmaybequitelistenable new reggae influenced album “Reincarnated”, “Lighters Up” acts as one of the lead singles. Featuring the wavering, lilting singing of Mavado (though in this case, on a distinctly peaceful tip) and Popcaan, this serves as part of a bigger set executively produced by everyone’s favourite Diplo (the track itself was produced by Major Lazer).
The thing about the album is, he doesn’t sound too out of place. Snoop has cart blanche to pretty much go in to most places (see how easily he slot in to David Guetta’s relentless pumping remix of “Sweat”) but even so, he’s taken to the reggae sound pretty well. Whether it will sell or everyone will like it is another thing, but it’s worth a stream on Spotify.
47. The Prodigy – Mindfields (Baauer Remix)
Posted: February 16, 2013 Filed under: trap | Tags: a song a day, baauer, chase & status, diplo, dum dum, electronica, flosstradamus, harlem shake, hip hop, mad decent, major lazer, mindfields, the prodigy, trap Leave a comment
Oh so you like Trap, do you? With Baauer’s “Harlem Shake” set to break the top 5 this week in the UK, it’s worth checking out some of his other stuff. As Trap’s leading light, he’s already engaged in beef with Azelia Banks (tbh, who hasn’t) and made himself a name on both sides of the Atlantic with his unique, SFX laden, club style tracks.
What is slightly painful is to see how unconnected this all is to hip hop. Trap isn’t a new genre, it’s been around for years as a follow on from crunk, mainly in the Deep South and yet it seems people aren’t making the connection. Still…
As far as this goes, it’s standard Baauer fare – take an original, twist up the best elements and turn it into something you’d throw your mother off a balcony to.
It’s a trap!
A Song A Day 2013 