Reggae Reigns
For only being about 30 minutes, Major Lazer have packed a lot into their newest album, Peace is the Mission. Heavy beats, big names; all of it jam packed into this brief album. With the group’s ever present reggae influence intact, Peace is the Mission is sure to get listeners through the music festival season.
“Be Together” opens this album with the voice of Wild Belle to draw in the listeners. Major Lazer subtly make their appearance in the background, providing full support behind Wild Belle. They waste no time though, bringing this album up to pace with their transition into “Too Original,” which embodies the dancehall beats that Major Lazer draw on.
Peace is the Mission also features the likes of DJ Snake and Ellie Goulding on tracks “Lean On Me” and “Powerful.” Major Lazer is extremely skilled at collaborating with other artists in a way that fits all the groups together rather than sounding like two groups bashing together. “Lean on Me” has equal amounts of give and take between Major Lazer and DJ Snake, while they both provide a solid foundation for MØ’s lyrics. “Powerful” shows Major Lazer’s ability to accommodate artists. Rather than force Goulding’s sound into a reggae piece, “Powerful” meets Goulding in the middle by slowing down a bit and providing some space for her voice, while still creating a unique partnership.
While Major Lazer does well at collaborating, they still are able to hold their own. “Roll the Bass” is the only non-collaborative song on Peace is the Mission and there is no holding back on their part. Their reggae influences are heavily felt here and the track goes back and forth between the heavy beats and the light keyboard melody.
Closing up the album, Major Lazer bring in the help of Ariana Grande in “All My Love.” This song reflects the opening song in some ways, with the crooning lyrics and by keeping a slower pace than the rest of the album. “All My Love,” though, does not settle down quite as much “Be Together.” The momentum of Peace is the Mission spills over some into this closing piece, letting the listener know the album is over but by not completely settling down, an ending that still leaves the listener wanting more.
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