Djesse Vol. 4
Jacob Collier
Djesse Vol. 4, released on February 29, 2024, marks the culmination of Jacob Collier's ambitious four-part project that began in 2018. This final installment showcases Collier's signature genre-blending approach, weaving together elements of folk, pop, metal, rap, and samba across its 16 tracks. So yeah, even putting a label on his music proved to be pretty hard.
The album opens with "100,000 Voices," a track that exemplifies Collier's innovative spirit. By recording harmonies from over 100,000 audience members during live performances, he creates a communal and immersive listening experience.
Collaborations are a cornerstone of Djesse Vol. 4, featuring a diverse array of artists such as Brandi Carlile, Shawn Mendes, Stormzy, and Chris Martin. These partnerships infuse the album with varied textures and perspectives, enhancing its eclectic nature.
Critical reception has been mixed. Some reviewers praise Collier's musical proficiency and the album's ambitious scope, while others critique it for being overly complex and lacking cohesion. Despite these differing opinions, Djesse Vol. 4 earned a nomination for Album of the Year at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, with "Bridge over Troubled Water" winning Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella.
In my personal opinion, coherency is optional. I love a "streamlined" album just as much as any music enthusiast, but at the end of the day having a so-called incoherent album is not something that impacts the music itself. Other artists do this too, for example listen to the most recent albums by The 1975. It's a mess!
Jacob Collier manages to have songs transition from one genre to the next, easily covering three very distinct genres in the same song. This makes the album constantly thrilling and exciting. Another noteworthy observation is the dynamic nature of the songs: they can go from soft and gentle to absolute mayhem in a matter of seconds.
In summary, Djesse Vol. 4 serves as a testament to Jacob Collier's relentless creativity. The Album of the Year Grammy nomination didn't come out of nowhere, that's for sure. While its complexity may not be for everyone, the album stands as a bold exploration of musical possibilities.
