Album of the Month: Major Lazer – Free the Universe

 

Major Lazer’s sophomore effort, Free the Universe, is as jam-packed with mega-tunes as their influential first release, proving that ‘Lazer remain the go-to lads for bashment for bassheads. The LP hurtles through genres whilst somehow making the connections seem obvious. It also develops the boys’ hallmark sound - rave music as bass-heavy and house-inspired as it is sun-drenched, always coloured by a Jamaican influence.

‘Watch Out for This [Bumaye]’, featuring Busy Signal, the Flexican and FS Green, is a prime example of the moombahton that the duo dabble in, sounding more Caribbean than Major Lazer have ever sounded and positively reeking of Notting Hill – one track guaranteed to set any carnival on fire. ‘Get Free’, one of the leading singles of the album, is a slow-burning, dub-influenced dancehall track with ethereal, almost psychedelic synths which have had hipsters grinding across dancefloors since its release earlier this year. ‘Jah No Partial’ is undoubtedly a standout track, a towering dubstep anthem which speeds through trance and jungle parts more fluidly than most other fusion acts can.

Free the Universe is a relentless party animal which goes and goes. It refuses to be played in the background and insists on being played at full volume to giant crowds all through hot summer nights. In 2011 Major Lazer replaced the influence of Switch with the talents of producers/DJs Jillionaire and Walshy Fire, of Black Chiney – thus far, it appears to be a collaboration which is going swimmingly.


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