Top Ranking
Where PFT [Piracy Funds Terrorism] was authoritative, electric, and undeniably of its time, Top Ranking feels less immediate, and less like an attempt to surf any one particular wave. Spanning hip-hop, reggaeton, new wave, classic rock, indie rock, club, reggae, and dubstep, it’s far rangier than its predecessor. Whether that actually helps or hinders it is up for debate (the mix doesn’t really get going until the second act, after an opening chapter that includes a bumpy Aretha Franklin/Devo/B-52’s/Gerri & the Holograms detour), but credit Diplo with playing to his artists’ tastes. Just as PFT’s muscular and slightly more style-conscious tracks reflected M.I.A.’s slightly avant and beat-heavy pop, Top Ranking feels appropriately on point: It’s more versatile, and digs even deeper.
Diplo, with Santogold this time, has made another mixtape, following on from his 2004 collaboration with MIA. It comprises remixed songs off Santogold’s recent album, remixes of other artists and some new songs including a cover of Guns of Brixton, switched to reference Brooklyn.
Released in the UK next week.