#TBT || Major Lazer – Get Free ft. Amber of the Dirty Projectors

Let’s take things back to the year 2012 with this massive hit tune from Major Lazer and singer Amber Coffman, “Get Free”.

When I think back to artists that have made an impact on my life, whether it be through their entire body of work or just certain songs that spoke to me at the right time, it is hard to not include Major Lazer in that discussion. More the latter of the two reasons based on the past few years, there are few songs in the dance music scene that hit me funny than when “Get Free” comes through the speakers.

It may come as a surprise to you that I love a song by Major Lazer more than most other tracks I’ve listened to, but you have to understand that “Get Free” was just that powerful. Officially released in 2012 and on the infamous Free The Universe album that truly shot Major Lazer to the moon in 2013, the quality of the track alone keeps it in the sets of DJs today, but there is a bit more to the story that connects with me on a deeper level.

See, the Major Lazer that many know and love today is not the original Major Lazer that I had fallen in love with almost a decade ago. Originally composed of Diplo, Switch, and hype man Skerrit Bwoy, the group was more centered around a dancehall sound with sets that were simply electric. From 2009 to 2011 they slaughtered sound systems with some sick beats, but things changed after Switch left that year. Taking the reigns were Walshy Fire and Jillionaire who joined Diplo from then on, but the sound shifted into the realm of pop-oriented music which disconnected me almost entirely.

But hey, we’re here to talk about “Get Free”, so let’s dive into this track a bit more. One of the last releases that were produced by Diplo and Switch together under the alias, it almost acts as a farewell to me from an era of Major Lazer that helped me fall deeper in love with dance music. “Get Free” features a lower energy dub beat that acts a perfect break for the high-paced dancehall environment and blends in nicely with pretty much any set. Closing your eyes while listening lets you drift off into the clouds and get swept away by the soundscape of the track, releasing you from all worries you might be facing.

While the beat itself brings a sense of serenity from start to finish, “Get Free” probably wouldn’t have become the powerful tune that it did without the help of singer/songwriter Amber Coffman. Yeah, the same singer who had already blown many away when she worked with Rusko on “Hold On” was back just two years later to provide these emotive and powerful lyrics for your listening pleasure.

Although the Andy C remix that dropped alongside the original is probably my preferred version, overall “Get Free” is one of my favorite tracks of all time and one I feel you should listen to today. Watch the lyric video below and let me know if this track speaks to you in the comments!

Watch Major Lazer – Get Free ft. Amber of the Dirty Projectors on YouTube:

Major Lazer – Get Free ft. Amber of the Dirty Projectors – Lyrics:

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