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Major Lazer sets its sights on a possible farewell album

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Robin Schulz spins at Marquee Dayclub on September 21.
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Earlier this year, Major Lazer dropped a YouTube video promoting the next—and possibly final—phase of the dancehall trio’s career. The minute-long clip, titled “Lazerism–Genesis,” detailed the fictional story of what happened after Major Lazer released its 2015 LP, Peace Is the Mission. “They brought people together and created unity through music and dance, and the world became a joyful and peaceful place. This was the last sighting of Major Lazer on Earth,” the narrator says in the video. After Lazer disappeared, the world was left in disarray.

“The world became restless without Lazer,” the clip continues, and DJs Diplo and Walshy Fire set out to reinstate the peace. Not included in the video: an explanation of what happened to Jillionare—one-third of the supergroup, who had been a part of Major Lazer since 2011.

In June, the group performed at New York City’s Governors Ball, with DJ Ape Drums in Jillionare’s usual spot, and later that month, Ape confirmed his position as an official member in an interview with Billboard.

Major Lazer has continued to actively release singles—and worked with popular video game Fortnite on various skins and unlockable items this year—but there’s been no word on when we can expect the new album. (“I know u guys are ready for this album,” the group tweeted out this past winter, but mum’s been the word on that front since.) And that just makes seeing Major Lazer more exciting. The trio might tease tunes from the upcoming LP at Saturday’s Encore Beach Club gig, as it did during a live show in January.

It should come as no surprise that Major Lazer is finding inventive ways to cross-promote its brand. The group will even have a single on the upcoming FIFA 20 video game soundtrack, EA Sports confirmed this month. And those new singles we mentioned earlier? In June, Major Lazer teamed with Bob Marley’s grandson Skip Marley for the single “Can’t Take It From Me,” and also premiered the track “Make It Hot” with Anitta. And the trio just dropped a sizzling video for “Que Calor,” a collaboration with Latin trap stars J Balvin and El Alfa.

Major Lazer might not be talking much about its upcoming album, but all its recent activity would imply that the guys are gearing up for something huge.

Major Lazer September 21, $35-$55, Encore Beach Club, 702-770-7300.

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