We all know Skrillex and Diplo, the duo who came together to form Jack Ü, are two of the world’s biggest taste-makers. Sonny and Wes have an incredible work ethic – both in the studio and with nonstop touring – and their ear for music isn’t something you can teach. Diplo prides himself on always doing something different (he even says so during his 2010 Electric Zoo set, back when he was all about Moombahton) and he’s always looking for the next big sound. Skrillex isn’t too far off from that, but rather than cultivating sounds from all around the world he tends to push himself to continue evolving and bring dance music to the masses that few before him have done. Jack Ü is the definition of a super-group and I’ll admit I’m surprised at how much I’ve been enjoying their debut album. In case you missed it, the album dropped last week on Diplo’s Mad Decent label.
So what is it about the 10-song Jack Ü album that I like so much? Plain and simple: it’s fresh. The production quality is so squeaky clean, so crisp, that the volume has no choice but to be cranked. While it’s easy to categorize the album as Trap, I think it moves away from what the dance music listener has come to know Trap as. There are all kinds of melodic elements, vocals, hard-hitting drops, Rasta vibes, Moombahton influences, Dubstep wobbles, Hip-Hop hooks, and even THE BIEBS (real talk: “Where Are Ü Now” featuring Justin Bieber is probably my favorite track on the album). In essence, unless you’re a pure House, Techno, or Trance junkie – this album is for you. And hey, even if you are (I’m a self-professed House junkie) – you might be surprised and enjoy this release.
Again, no knock to Skrillex or Diplo on this. I’m a huge fan of both. I’ve paid money to see Skrillex and Diplo perform countless times and I constantly bump music by both of them. I shouldn’t be surprised that the Jack Ü album isn’t cookie-cutter, I shouldn’t be surprised that it perfectly fuses Diplo & Skrillex’s individual sounds (even Major Lazer). Maybe I was getting tired of their mixes or live sets because it was Trap banger after Trap banger, but the Jack Ü album is a perfect balance of exactly what I want in a ahead-of-its-time dance album.
If you haven’t heard the album you can stream it below. But more importantly, grab a copy if you like what you hear and make sure to continue supporting the artists who make you move.
Top Three Picks from the Album:
- Where Are Ü Now (featuring Justin Bieber) – melodic, soulful, chill-step with Electro flutes?
- To Ü (featuring AlunaGeorge) – AlunaGeorge’s voice gives me the chills and the track has a great beat, almost contains Flume/What So Not sounds but perfect blend with Skrillex Dubstep wobbles
- Beats Knockin (featuring Fly Boi Keno) – I mean fuck, that’s how you come out of the gate full steam ahead. This one sounds like a Diplo track all-around but the bottom line is if your head isn’t nodding and your body not moving you need to check your pulse