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Hear Ezra Koenig Go Reggae for Major Lazer’s Lovely ‘Jessica’

Major Lazer Ezra Koenig 'Jessica' Vampire Weekend

It was only a matter of time before Vampire Weekend singer Ezra Koenig recorded a genuine reggae track featuring his very own fake patois — we’re only glad he was in the highly capable hand (the other one’s a blaster) of Major Lazer.

Diplo’s dancehall-inspired project is getting ready to drop Free the Universe on April 15 via Mad Decent, and the album is brimming with special guests. We’ve already heard the surprisingly beautiful “Get Free” starring Dirty Projectors’ Amber Coffman — plus the murderous moombahton blaster “Watch Out for This (Bumaye)” — and we’ve still got cameos from Bruno Mars, Santigold, Vybz Kartel, Peaches, Shaggy (!), and Wyclef Jean, among others, to look forward to.

The Koenig-featuring “Jessica,” which premiered on DJ Annie Mac’s BBC Radio 1 show, bodes very well for what else is to come. The track borrows from Lee “Scratch” Perry’s earlier productions, combining crunchy roots reggae groove with spoken word bits and crooned falsetto highlights. The modern flourishes are kept minimal, allowing Major Lazer’s latest to drift in and out like a radio transmission from a bygone era. Meanwhile, Vampire Weekend’s third album, Modern Vampires of the City, is due May 7. Check out our In The Studio with the band for additional insight.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=fDei3SkrEQY%3Frel%3D0