Music is the Weapon cover

Music is the Weapon

Major Lazer · 2020

48 min · 17 tracks · hip-hop

A vibrant fusion of dancehall, electronic beats, and reggae influences energizes listeners with infectious rhythms and catchy hooks.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Titans Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
  • →
    Que calor — This track features a pulsating beat paired with Latin-inspired vocals, encapsulating the album’s celebration of diverse cultural sounds and rhythms.
  • →
    Lay Your Head on Me — With its emotive lyrics and melodic hook, this song stands out by blending heartfelt themes with an infectious danceable groove.
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    Hell and High Water — Combining elements of pop and reggae, this track highlights Major Lazer's talent for creating mainstream-friendly hits while retaining their unique sound identity.
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    Bam Bam — The song reinterprets classic samples into a modern context, showcasing Major Lazer’s ability to merge nostalgia with contemporary production techniques.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

48 /100
Foothills
Higher than 19% of albums we've rated

The album blends various genres effectively but lacks a strong cohesive narrative throughout.

What we noticed

  • Several tracks incorporate call-and-response structures, creating an interactive feel that engages listeners.
  • The production employs layered electronic beats alongside traditional reggae and dancehall elements, resulting in a vibrant sound.
  • The final track is a slower tempo piece that contrasts with the high-energy songs preceding it, providing a sense of closure.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • steady mid-tempo dance vibes
  • infectious energy for parties
  • sing-along anthems with friends
  • global rhythms ignite movement
  • for celebratory gatherings

Maybe skip if you

  • seekers of deep introspection
  • prefer slow, contemplative tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Showcases continued evolution and relevance in sound for Major Lazer.
Career context
Released on January 1, 2020, 'Music is the Weapon' marked Major Lazer's first full-length album since 2017's 'Music is the Weapon', showcasing a continued evolution in sound. At this point, the group had solidified their status as genre-blending innovators within the electronic music landscape.
Stylistic neighbors
Diplo· DJ Snake· J Balvin

Tracklist

  • 1 Titans Start here 3:19
  • 2 Diplomatico 2:24
  • 3 Que calor 2:49
  • 4 C’est Cuit 2:36
  • 5 Hell and High Water 2:25
  • 6 Pra te machucar 2:37
  • 7 QueLoQue 2:45
  • 8 Sun Comes Up 2:39
  • 9 Bam Bam 2:33
  • 10 Tiny 3:22
  • 11 Oh My Gawd 3:00
  • 12 Hands Up 3:14
  • 13 Trigger 2:50
  • 14 Lay Your Head on Me 3:19
  • 15 Can’t Take It From Me 2:55
  • 16 Rave de favela 2:34
  • 17 Jadi Buti 2:43

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata