EUROPA: Like, Really?

Our favorite random white boy, Diplo, continues the tradition of naming projects after cities that inspire him. Hence, his new EP “Europa”. Being on tour around the world for a decade now, the artist knows every nook and cranny of the globe. Seeing the new wave that was bubbling in Europe, Diplo decided to give it a push like he has been doing his whole career with: Octavian, Niska, Bizzey & Ramiks, Bausa, Soolking, and Iamddb. Europa should be as devastating as Thanos’ gauntlet but Diplo merely snaps his fingers with it. Don’t get me wrong for a casual listener, Europa is a nice chart-topping EP full of interesting tracks, but for us die-hard fans, in terms of creativity, it's only a bootlegged copy of what it wants to celebrate. Europa happens to be as original as Floridian scammers; they all have the same scheme hoping that we will fall for it again. Or calling a tea “chai tea” when “chai” actually means tea… You get the message.

Europa opens with “New Shapes”. Unfortunately, it’s a missed target with under-exploited gems. Octavian delivers some laid back vocals that would be just enough if the producer had taken some liberty with the production, but this is not the end. The result ends up being a  B side from an AJ Tracey and Clam’s Casino album (no disrespect Octavian. You just got caught in a drive-by, here; hope you recover). It’s really a shame, because when it comes to creative instrumentals, no matter the genre, the UK has always been forward thinking, even avant-gardist. This ode to the culture doesn’t live up to the legacy it pretends to represent.

With some pleasant piano melodies, “Boom Bye Bye” is a gentle trap-pop track that brings a nostalgic feel and  supports Niska’s reminiscent text. But, it reiterates what we said before. Diplo managed to have the French rapper, Niska, to be composed and relaxed. A side of him that we don’t see often, and would like to see a bit more of. Nonetheless, it sounds like any top charting pop song, it will most likely end up as number 11 on the Saturday cleanup playlist. Basically, background noise.

“Dip Raar” would be groundbreaking to someone who’s not used to Nederland’s dirty Dutch. However, regular to any other adepts to the genre, the dutch are in another realm when it comes to moombahton, with artists like $hirak, Boaz van der Beatz pushing boundaries one beat at the time. And, this is exactly why, in fact, “Dip Raar” is a mediocre song. It sounds like any other track made by any decent Dutch producer. Actually, Bizzey himself has a very similar track called “Traag”.

Let’s not even talk about “Baui Coupe” and “Oh Maria”. They are as memorable as your current mayor.

It seems, with “Mira Mira,” he heard his guardian angel saying, “Enough!” The only track that saved the day. The rogue synthetic drums leading the song match IMDDB’s pitch perfectly. As always, the vocalist delivery is captivating. Is it Enough of a good ending to make us feel like this field trip wasn’t too bad? NAHHHHH.

However, there might be an explanation for this mess. In a review posted on Apple music, it is said that Diplo, for this EP, enlisted London and Paris best up and coming beat makers. If this happens to be true, Diplo might have used his brand to promote Europe’s underground sound to the world and would explain why it sounds like everything else. It would be a noble act. Yet, the EP is under his name. It’s not Europa presented by Diplo. The producer’s signature sound is missing, and all that is left is a big mac combo for the top 40 with no soul, no identity. An airport carpet that we saw but will never remember the patterns of.

Bottom line is the project is not bad. But, it revolts me as a Diplo fan. Took me 2 weeks to write this review because of how disappointed and uninspired I was by it. But I had to voice my matter. I’m a Diplo fan to the point where I could tat the Diplodocus on my chest. Why I haven’t done it yet, you might ask? It’s because Diplo keeps on giving me mixed signals with projects like Europa. I would accept this EP from an upcoming producer but not the Guy who gave us Express yourself, Get free, Elastic Heart. Diplo built a brand around how eccentric, shocking, unfamiliar yet forward thinking he is. His name, later on, became a synonym to bangers and nailed experiments. This EP and some songs that he has released recently don’t live up to that image. This is what pisses me off and hurts me. What an irony: The man who made it to the top by being a borderline bohemian is now sinking to the bottom by following the norm.

It’s weird, you know. Is this what it is to grow up? Is it caused by a midlife crisis? Or, did the eccentric, free-spirited Florida man got comfortable? I’ve discovered him, because of ”Watch Out” for this (Bumaye). When I heard that song, I saw the light. It awakens the eccentric/goofy/bohemian in me. I saw on television who I am inside. For Diplo to released something like Europa, to me is like Jesus telling his disciples that this all was a joke.