Major Lazer’s new number ‘Lay Your Head On Me’ offers up unwitting hope during dark times.

The production group has always excelled at coming through with upbeat, infectious beats that blow the roofs off of dance clubs but this time around, they’ve enlisted Marcus Mumford of Mumford & Sons to lay on with a calmer, more introspective sound. What results is a melody that’s driven by gentle but steady chords on the acoustic guitar, providing a glimpse of cool summer coming ahead. Marcus Mumford’s voice is just perfectly affective and contemplative, so much so that we are immersed in the composition from the get-go. Each word is brimming with heart and soul, something that longtime Mumford fans should already be familiar with at this point. 

The band Mumford & Sons have essentially modernized and revitalized pop-folk music for an entirely new generation, and those influences emerge through this production just as strongly. With lyrics like ‘this too shall pass’ and ‘it won’t always be this way’, it’s inadvertent that analysis will be done around the contemporary context of the track’s release, although it’s unclear whether Major Lazer was aware of the public health crisis during recording. Nonetheless, it’s an effortlessly breezy and reflecting tune that’s certain to provide some sort of solace to listeners as they navigate the challenging times. The chorus, however, is purely instrumental and removes all the emotional beats to lull us into the power of the eclectic beats. It would be a good bet to assess that some of the rhythms and percussion featured in the chorus take inspiration from Middle Eastern beats, but overall it’s an exciting mix of sounds and tempos that should do well to get us moving on our feet. 

Major Lazer consists of three members: Diplo, Walshy Fire, and Ape Drums. It’s a brilliant trio that is already versatile on their merit but the addition of Marcus Mumford to the proceedings gives the song some powerful wings. It’s an ingenious collaboration when you think about it, and quite pleasingly, the outcomes have more than work out. Mumford recently spoke out about he and his band members sit down to write songs, saying;

I like the idea of small. I like the idea of relational. I mean, I think it’s why we pick the tactile instruments when we first started: the things you could see and touch and feel. I think that’s why we love gigs. Because it’s a moment in time that brings people together for a shared experience.”

 Pop     Folk     Dance 

Author: Shaoni Das

Shaoni Das is a writer/editor currently based in Edmonton, Canada. She remains eager to inspect how the changing culture of music impacts upon the greater world.