As the vaccine rollouts are picking up momentum, we’re hopeful that we will be seeing public spaces such as nightclubs finally able to open up and have folks on the dance floor before we know it. Thus Sean Paul‘s newest release ‘Live N Livin’ comes as an upbeat call to the dance floor for all dancehall enthusiasts. This album follows his 2018 EP, Mad Love the Prequel, and 2014 LP Full Frequency. The dancehall king wanted a body of work to keep the genre front and center, and as such invited about 20 collaborators to help on this album, the first of two expected in 2021.

The album opens with a remix of Paul’s “Buss A Bubble” from 2019, with guest appearances from artists like Looga Man and Ras Ajai. The heavy snare rattle of the trap-flavored track carries on into “Boom,” with its subdued backing keyboard and warping synth melody, closing out with a warping vocal breakdown about halfway through.

Embracing the synthetic elements of the previous track, Sean Paul takes things up to full throttle on “Space Ship,” with its futuristic soundscape of wailing sirens to create a particularly fun melody percolated with some great record scratching. It’s no surprise considering Paul’s longstanding collaboration with a wide array of hip-hop artists to see him incorporating those elements into his tracks. That continues on “Real Steel.” The dual note sustained string melody evokes a more traditional sampling style of the 2000s-era of hip-hop.

“Dem Nuh Ready Yet” brings back the zapping synths alongside a flurry of snapping synthetic snare percussion. “Schedule,” with Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, delivers a funkier number with its use of organ, thick bass-laden melody and some harmonizing vocals. “Money Bags” also stands out with its haunting, echoing back vocal sample as well as the impressive verse from guest rapper Govana. Around this point, the creativity begins to stagnate, as songs like “Lion Heart” and “Protect Me” recycle elements.

Thankfully, Sean Paul breathes new life into highlight track “Danger Zone,” with the rumbling flow of his sung vocals giving it an aggressive and infectious energy. It’s perfect to vibe with or to kick it on the dance floor. The rattling and electric shock vibe of the backing synths paired with the snares give the track an energy unlike any of the other songs on ‘Live N Livin. That’s the last bit of life on the album, which closes out with the forgettable “Life We Living” and “Everest,” alongside another remix of 2018’s “I’m Sanctify.”

While the scope of ‘Live N Livin’ is not overtly ambitious, Sean Paul offers plenty for dancehall fans to appreciate as we get back into the groove of things. Despite losing some of its charge, the album still provides much-needed vibrancy.

Follow editor Tim Hoffman at Twitter.com/hipsterp0tamus.