Yes, this album review is incredibly late. And honestly, we didn’t feel the need for one if it hadn’t been for the extended version of Peace Is The Mission that just came out. What started out as a strong, but meager, 9-track album has grown gloriously into a full 14-track exploration that is even better than when we first got our hands on it.
Let’s get it out of the way: the original nine tracks are simply amazeballs. Ellie Goulding and Tarrus Riley in “Powerful,” what!? MØ in “Lean On,” obviously… Wild Belle in “Be Together”? Forget about it.
The additional five tracks on the extended addition offer a remix, a cover, and three new originals. Rather than put this out as a new EP or something of the sort, Major Lazer released an extended version. That, in itself, deserves commendation. But the tracks themselves are infinitely more deserving.
The MOTi collaboration especially has such a depth of sound and culture to it that defies reasoning. And MØ makes a reprise to cover “Lost” by Frank Ocean, such a strong move by everyone involved. Fans have been waiting for his album for what seems like forever, and Major Lazer definitely capitalized on that desire while simultaneously delivering in quality.
If Peace Is The Mission wasn’t already in your top albums of the year, it should be now, for sure.
Grab your own copy of the extended version here.