‘Jack U’ is the debut album from the monstrous collaboration between Diplo and Skrillex. And how does their new progeny fare ? Well for starters, think what you like about Justin Bieber but ‘Where Are You Now’ – the album’s big hit – is a downtempo r n b / pop infused, serrated edged, time stretched, vocodered, tripped out hot stepper with deep, vibing bamboo bass hits together with a sticky kick that propels it forward with such a lazy attitude that you’d think it had all day to do it. It’s got an understated and yet undeniable coolness that should have the Beliebers enraptured and score them all a shed load of new fans. A blink and you’ll miss it intro runs headlong into the face-off ‘Beats Knocking’ ft Keno : a punk-rap jump up with a bullfrog chorussed dubstep topline that has the kind of energy you want to be in the middle of when the temperature drops at any outdoor event. It’s aural central heating. ‘Take U There’ brings the crystal toned Kiesza centre stage for a gripping, grimy dance off. Then anyone that calls a track ‘Febreze’ with lyrics that say ‘yeah I’m the shit I should have Febreze on me’ is either slightly mental or has the cojones of a rampaging toro. 2 Chainz waxes lie-rical over the signature Jack U distressed, squealing and pitched bullfrog chorus and everything in his garden smells of ocean spray or a tropical garden or something chemically assisted like that. Aluna George (the London duo who collaborated on Disclosure’s award winning ‘White Noise’) feature on ‘To U’ – a vocal caress nestled surreptitiously on an angular instrumental vulcan nerve pinch. ‘Jungle Bae’ is a dancehall tear up with a twerking beat that is destined to do wonders for batty rider sales all summer. Whilst ‘Mind’ featuring Kai is a smooth vocal outing with a dancehall percussive flavour that Rihanna fans will adore.
There is enviable consistency and continuity here : the raw edged dubstep themes and razor sharp production make it hang cohesively together as an unexpected yet quite cyclopean artist album and Diplo & Skrillex have certainly developed a banging signature sound that their fans will soak up like litmus paper does water. For those new to the duo’s sound here are some helpful tags : fresh / wicked / discovery / block party / energetic / buzz saw / hip hop / reggae / urban / synth pop / dubstep / vocodered / nutty noises / banging / new rave / wow really ? / you’re having a laugh aren’t you ? / funny / moshpit /are you serious ? / vocal / takes a few listens / persevere / good stuff and maybe ‘acquired taste’.
4 out of 5
Reviewed by Paulette
