Stream Diplo’s first-ever ambient album, ‘MMXX’

by: Sophie Bress Sep 4, 2020

In a surprising and unexpected move made the week of August 24, Diplo announced the imminent release of his latest project, an ambient album. Released on September 4, MMXX represents the DJ/producer’s donning of yet another hat. This year alone, he’s popped up everywhere from the Democratic National Convention to numerous livestreams, and even dipped his toes into country music with his Thomas Wesley alias.

Although Diplo’s production of an ambient LP might seem random to some, in a press release, he explained that he sees MMXX as a “return” to his “roots”:

“I’ve been experimenting with making ambient music for years now. In some ways, it’s a return to my roots—my first album Florida was all super chill instrumentals. For the last few years I’ve been collaborating with a bunch of friends playing ambient sets around L.A., and when the pandemic hit we decided to lay some of it down. It’s been a huge stress reliever and meditative experience for me, hope it can be the same for you. Checking in with ourselves and taking care of our mental health is so important, now more than ever.”

Intended not only to soothe but also to increase global awareness of mental health, MMXX features collaborations with Rhye, Mikky Ekko, Good Times Ahead, and Lunice, providing listeners with 12 tracks of meditative sound that further prove what most have known all along: Diplo is certainly not a one-trick pony.

MMXX‘s arrival is accompanied by news of Diplo’s newly-forged partnership with the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum to present “Under Ancient Skies,” a four-date run of intimate, outdoor events with ambient sets delivered by none other than Diplo himself. Under Ancient Skies will descend on Pioneertown, California from September 8 – 9 and Big Sur from September 10 – 11. Tickets are available here.

Stream MMXX, released via Diplo’s house imprint, Higher Ground, below.