NEW MUSIC: MARSHMELLO | BEFORE U

It’s only been five months since Marshmello’s last single, “Preached” with Lil Dusty G, but for some reason, it feels like much longer. Maybe it’s because we were so used to the rapid pace of releases from the masked artist. Now, Marshmello has dropped a new track titled "Before U," which serves as the first single to be released from his upcoming new album, "Joytime IV," which is due out this summer, though an exact release date is yet to be revealed. Both tracks are a throwback to Marshmello’s older style of production from the very first "Joytime" album six years ago, before all the massive pop collaborations and huge producer team-ups. “Before U” is bright and catchy but very simple. It also features a lobby track in the latest Fortnite game. Marshmello turned back the clock here, showcasing the blissed-out, saccharine future trap sound that propelled him to superstardom. It's a breath of fresh air for Mello loyalists, many of whom have become disillusioned by his pivot to hip-hop and contemporary pop music. It seems like a lifetime ago when Marshmello released the first edition of "Joytime," his debut album, which dropped back in 2016. The record was a breakthrough for the subversive producer, who recently garnered his first Grammy Award nomination in Best Dance/Electronic album category for "Shockwave."