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Diplo - California (Mad Decent, 2018)

Weird EP from Diplo whose production credits need no intro here. Despite the title this isn't a collection of bangers, rather the mood here is a little...wistful? Morose, even? The production has plenty of bombast - witness in particular "Suicidal" featuring Desiigner (as repetitive and maddeningly catchy as anything the latter comes out with) and "Look Back" featuring D.R.A.M. which is damn near melodramatic in its hugely over-the-top production. "Worry No More" with Lil Yachty and Santigold is also very catchy and radio ready. "Wish" with Lil Xan is completely forgettable and mostly a snooze, "Get It Right (Remix)" feat. MØ and GoldLink is also cinematic but not terribly good either. My favorite is "Wish" with Trippie Redd's raw-throated, shouty vocals (almost bordering on annoying but not quite). Catchy and anthemtic. The mood of this EP is scattered and a couple good tracks in its 18 minutes' length makes it feel pretty dashed off. Oh well.

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