Since Guns Don’t Kill People…Lazers Do is the debut full-length from DJs Diplo and Switch – under the monicker Major Lazer – you are guaranteed one thing…kick ass production. The DJs have worked together before on hits for artists like M.I.A (her massive hit “Paper Planes” was successful in large part to them) and Santigold. And while their few ventures together hinted at a shared love for reggae and electronic music, Guns is the full result. All tracks not only blend the two seemlessly, but also feature vocal contributions from everyone from Santigold to Nina Sky to Turbulance, among many others. It seems as though Major Lazer went all out to make Guns memorable, and it pays off.
The album opens with the infectious single “Hold the Line”, which features Mr. Lexx and Santigold. Despite catchy vocal lines, the production is the real focus – a “Barracuda” styled guitar rhythm and layers of other random things (like birds and cell phones) pop up throughout. Most of the tracks get the full body production treatment, that is, repetitive bass driven underbellies with lots of other things thrown in to keep you interested. It does the job, as the album is as catchy as the flu, if anything. In addition to that, there are plenty of Jamaican influence (the album was recorded in Jamaica, and we all know where reggae is popular) in the beats (“Can’t Stop Now”) and lyrical theme (“Mary Jane”, yes a stereotype, but it is mostly true). It is evident that the lyrics were the least important aspect of Guns, and while they are rather elementary and simple, they reflect the music as a whole – catchy and fun.
Not only is Major Lazer an awesome name, but Guns is the album to spin this summer. It is upbeat, fun, bass-driven, and just about anything else you could ask for from an album to chill out and party to. Chances are it’ll make you want to indulge in some Mary Jane as well.
(7.8/10)
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