| Differentology | |
| Type: | Studio |
| Artist: | Bunji Garlin |
| Cover: | Bunji Garlin - Differentology.jpg |
| Genre: | Soca |
| Label: | RCA/VP Records |
| Producer: | Edwin Howell, Ian Alvarez, Chris Chin (Exec.) |
Differentology is an album by soca singer Bunji Garlin released in 2014 by RCA/VP Records.[1] The album peaked at No. 6 on the US Billboard Reggae Albums chart.[2]
Julianne Escovedo Shepherd of Rolling Stone gave Differentology a 3 out of 5 stars rating. Shepherd took note that Garlin "blends dancehall, EDM and even trap ("Truck on D Road," with ASAP Ferg) into his sound, without ever seeming like he's trying too hard. It's soca for the Spotify generation."[3]
Jon Caramanica of The New York Times praised Differentology saying "Decades ago, reggae made peace with dancehall, its younger, rowdier, more digital version, but soca — reggae’s Caribbean cousin — has been slower to modernize. That’s one of a few reasons that “Differentology” (VP/RCA), the new Bunji Garlin album, feels like such a shock to the system. This is the album that assuredly moves soca into the now era."[4]
David Jeffries of AllMusic remarked "singer Bunji Garlin offers a much more rough and energetic take on the (Soca) genre. Having collaborated with Busta Rhymes and been remixed by Major Lazer, his 2014 effort Differentology retains some of these pop influences with hip-hop beats and EDM production techniques scattered about...He sees dance music as freedom and works James Brown-hard at delivering this message, while his combination of charisma and supreme leader stylings comes straight out of Paisley Park, even if Bunji is a much more gruff character than Prince. Filled with the tracks that made him Trinidad's Soca Monarch, plus a favorite among those who those who like to see the boundaries of pop music pushed, Differentology is a fine intro to this dynamic and vital artist.[5]
Chris Richards of The Washington Post exclaimed "The Trinidadian vocalist might be the shiniest star in soca music, but his new album throbs with a rich, pulsating pan-Caribbean energy that should translate easily on any dance floor."[6]
Natalie Weiner of NPR commented "Differentology is the soca singer's 11th album, and that after 16 years in the business, Garlin is finally poised for crossover success...the album's first line is its mission statement: "Somebody give me a riddim to activate the waistline on the feminine gender, now please," Bunji intones. Thankfully, someone complied."[7]
Differentology was placed upon Rolling Stones list of the 20 Best EDM, Electronic and Dance albums of 2014.[8]