Diplo is one of the most versatile producers in all of music, not just EDM. So when I see that he’s dropping a project full of hip-hop co-stars, I don’t even bat an eye. He’s shown himself to be more than reliable by this point to know that he knows what he’s doing. What was somewhat of a surprise however, was the direction he took the sound in. Most people know him for those big, dance ready anthems that shake the roofs off clubs, but on California EP he’s opted for a more subdued, even emotional sound that’s meant to move you in a different way than on the dance floor. In particular, DRAM, Desiigner, and Trippie Redd both do a great job of delivering on that emotion in their own respective ways, and he even manages to make Lil Yacthy bearable for me to listen to. Although there’s almost nothing you can do to make me think Lil Xan is good. Diplo’s greatest strength has always been in recognizing trends either before they’re happening or right when they’re popping and giving us the collabs we didn’t even know we wanted. He keeps that going here, albeit in a more subdued manner.
“Zoning on the road
Not knowin’ where to go
But I ain’t lookin’ back
I ain’t going back to that”
Have you heard California EP? What’d you think about it? Do you like the direction Diplo took his sound in? Let me know in the comments below and be sure to leave your own ratings and reactions to the EP.
