Spring Awakening artist to know

There seems to be two sides to all-star producer, DJ, and party starter Diplo.

On one hand, he’s a hive-minded hitmaker cranking out some of the biggest pop songs of the year. If 2011’s “Look At Me Now” wasn’t enough proof of this, Usher’s current chart topper “Climax” surely will be. On the other hand, he’s a tastemaker who channels some of the most interesting sounds from around the world into party-centric bangers that more hardcore electronic music fans drool over.

This track, “Set It Off” finds the producer working alongside up-and-comers Lazerdisk Sex Party (the duo responsible for 2010’s very awesome and underappreciated "Lemonade is Still Popular") and catering to the EDM audience who has loved him for years.

Part of the producer’s “Express Yourself” EP slated for release on June 9th, “Set It Off” is a moombahton smasher to the core. From the slow buildup to the robotic moan, squeaky voice and constantly fluctuating pitch, this is signature Diplo. While Lazerdisk hasn’t been around long enough to develop a signature sound of their own quite yet, their contribution here is solid and absolutely fitting with an artist of Diplo’s stature.

Chicagoans can watch the DJ undoubtedly set it off at this summer’s Spring Awakening Festival on Sunday June 17 at Soldier Field or at the subsequent afterparty that night at the House of Blues.