The Singles Jukebox

Not an inspirational soccer anthem…

[Video][Website]
[5.14]

Taylor Alatorre: “Lean On” is well on its way to becoming one of this decade’s truly iconic hits, due in no small part to the infectious syncopated beat that undergirds it all. Whether this kickstarted or merely foretold dancehall’s return to the top 40 is hard to say. What can be said is that audiences wanted more, and a dirge like “Powerful” wasn’t gonna cut it. So here we are, two by two for the sequel, with a beat that continues to work its toe-tapping magic. But where “Lean On” revealed its charms slowly and discreetly, “Light It Up” burns with a sense of impatience. Get out of its way, people, it’s got somewhere to be. I like songs that get to the point, but not if the point is in danger of getting lost in the process. Unless the point is now to get more Caribbean and African voices on radio playlists, in which case, the more impatient the better.
[7]

Patrick St. Michel: Original is way better, though this version is pleasant in the same way all of Diplo and friend’s takes on music originating from outside the States is — tolerable but not all that exciting.
[4]

Alfred Soto: The Eurofestival circuit continues its infatuation with Donald Duck vocal distortions and perfunctory nods to continents south and east.
[3]

Crystal Leww: I’m unconvinced that Diplo himself is a particularly great producer, but I do find his ability to find good collaborators and exposing interesting, relatively unrecognized talent mainstream music. The other thing that Diplo is good at? Volume. Diplo’s never put out anything that’s even 80% listenable, but we get lost in the two or three tracks from all the solo work, pop production, Jack U, and Major Lazer albums, EPs, and remix compilations that are pure fire that it doesn’t really matter. This remix of “Light It Up” adding Fuse ODG is fine, but it’s going to blend one track into another during a few DJ sets this summer. That’s okay.
[4]

Gin Hart: This is the song I want to emerge in a stream of paradise-hued 3D bubbles from my can of Mountain Dew as I pop it. Everyone’s sweat will be more gleam than grease, and we’ll toss our hair around under a perfectly-paced strobe. A happy party commercial about energy and effervescence. I dig. 
[9]

Thomas Inskeep: Cheesy digital reggae, just cheesy and summery enough to be fun. Nyla and Fuse ODG do just what they’re needed to do, and so do the beat and those ridiculous synthesized trumpets. 
[6]

Cassy Gress: Remember when Major Lazer was fun? No? Just me? It’s all just haphazard squiggliness.
[3]