This Is Our Jam: Major Lazer, “Get Free” (Featuring Amber Of Dirty Projectors)

Major Lazer is a Jamaican soldier whose laser-handed, beret-clad persona (somewhere between an ‘80s Hanna-Barbera cartoon and Jax from Mortal Kombat) has served as the nom de guerre for Diplo and Switch’s collaboration of dancehall-leaning pop. Since Major Lazer’s inception in 2009, we’ve come to expect music with a certain level of intensity; Their live show is replete with daggering, and is known for a generally face-meltingly explosive atmosphere.

So in some ways, “Get Free (Featuring Amber of Dirty Projectors),” released late last night, is a new side to the project. Instead of squelching synths and snares, we are treated to a laid-back piece of reggae-inflected pop. It’s Amber Coffman’s extraordinary voice that’s the rightful focus here, and Diplo and Switch provide just the right riddim as Amber hits her trademark high notes (or anti-notes, as they sometimes sound). The result may be the first quintessential summer jam of 2012, and sets a new high bar for what Major Lazer can do.

Watch the video below, or enter your email here for a free download.