I’m going to repeat that: Diplo, Frank Ocean and The Clash have collaborated and created a track together.

The song entitled “Hero” is a soulful jam, bolstered by Frank Ocean’s consoling vocals, but Ocean isn’t the only draw here. There’s doo-wop harmonies, garage-rock guitars and an electronic base thanks to Major Lazer’s main-man. The song is surprising and a bit unsettling at first, thanks to the cohesion of such distinct and varied talent. It’s as if each artist’s skill brought one piece of the puzzle together and with their powers combined formed Captain Planet or something.

Did I mention THE CLASH yet?

The fact that Mick Jones and Paul Simonon even did this track speaks volumes to their artistry. Having artists step outside their comfort zone and collaborate to create something so fresh and this contemporary makes me happy. These guys definitely haven’t rested on their laurels.

“Hero” was one of five tracks the group recorded at Damon Albarn’s London studio during a four-day session, dabbling in Eighties pop, meandering psychedelia and electronic fusion (according to Rolling Stone). Simonon had worked with Albarn in the past on The Good, the Bad & the Queen’s 2007 debut. Mick Jones hasn’t been idle either, putting out music with his band Carbon/Silicon, and along with Simonon, taking part in the Gorillaz’s 2010 album, Plastic Beach (both of them even played live with the Gorillaz on that tour).

And though Diplo hadn’t met The Clash guys before, he did sample the group’s “Straight to Hell” (from their Combat Rock record) for M.I.A.’s “Paper Planes” smash.

What a cool, cool collaboration. Don’t miss this one:

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