Words by Aaliyah Lambert
Jacob Collier’s latest offering, Djesse Vol. 4, marks the culmination of his ambitious six-year “Djesse” project with a captivating clash of sounds. Through 16 tracks, Collier demonstrates his mastery of blending genres and combining disparate elements into a musical experience. This album serves as a testament to the universal language of music, showcasing how diverse influences can intertwine to create something truly extraordinary.
Collier’s journey through the “Djesse” series has been an amazing ride for listeners, with each volume he’s explored a distinct musical landscape. He wanted to “both physically travel the world but also metaphorically kind of push the walls of this room down and welcome a bunch of new materials and transfer the idea of home or my roots, my anchorage to something more global,” which is evident in the development of each volume. From the classic orchestral sound of Vol.1 to the intimate acoustic universe of Vol.2 and the electronic wave of Vol.3, each installment has offered a unique perspective on the brilliance of Collier’s artistry. With Vol.4, it is used as a blank canvas to new territory, blending sounds from previous volumes along with South African artists, southern gospel roots and South American rhythms leading to a celebration of the rich global musical tapestry.
The album begins with, “100,000 Voices,” which sets the stage for the eclectic journey that follows. Through skillful production and collaboration with a diverse array of artists – including John Mayer, Kirk Franklin, Camilo, Shawn Mendes, Tori Kelly, aespa, and Sho Madjozi – Collier weaves together textures of sound that spans genres and continents. The track’s title hints at the expansive scope of the album, which literally features 100,000 different voices eloquently placed over various instruments.
Production for this closing product truly showcased Collier’s innovative talent yet the album’s track order lacked cohesion, leaving some tracks feeling disconnected from the overall sound. For example, tracks like “WELLLL,” “Mi Corazón,” and “Over You” could almost form a separate EP. While they lyrically spoke to the overarching theme around love, due to their sound leaning extremely EDM, these records felt oddly juxtaposed to a lot of the other tracks on the project.
Lyrically, Djesse Vol.4 features love as a theme, but the lyrics feel underdeveloped and simplistic in comparison to the intricate production. While the project showcases Collier’s ear for blending sounds, there’s a desire for lyrics that match the complexity and depth of the musical arrangements.
Djesse Vol.4 concludes with “World O World,” a hymnal-like track that serves as a poignant farewell to the “Djesse” series. “Until we meet again / meet again / Goodbye, goodbye / Goodbye, goodbye…” Despite lacking some depth lyrically and a missed opportunity for cohesive tracklisting, Vol.4 provided a bold sonic palette and unwavering sense of adventure. It serves as a fitting conclusion to Collier’s groundbreaking “Djesse” project, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating the next chapter in his musical conquests.