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It took three months after its digital release for the hard copy of Dijon’s sophomore album Baby to arrive at my home. This delay is no one’s fault. It is one of those ostensibly “negative” realities of my move away from streaming services and back to physical media. And while the lack of acclaim I have seen online made me nervous, those fears were quickly abolished after I was finally able to listen to the first track (and then the whole album) this weekend. Yes, I could have Youtubed it like I do lots of music (and I even sent the link to people before actually having listened), but I ended up choosing to wait because I guess I’m kinda masochistic like that. Regardless… the wait is over, and in my ears, Dijon has done it again.

From the get-go, Baby is the sonic equivalent of a firework spectacular. It cracks, fizzles, splashes, booms, burns, scratches, and undulates with all of Dijon’s trademark chaos. Despite having a blockbuster year (literally, he was in my favorite film of 2025, One Battle After Another) and a breakthrough opportunity as collaborator on Justin Bieber’s SWAG, Dijon and frequent musical partner Mk.Gee both made the bold choice to double down on the experimental qualities that make their work so textured and unique. Although the frenetic energy of Baby may turn off a lot of curious Beliebers tuning in for the first time, it provides yours truly with nothing less than a cathartic experience. Dijon is an artist of passion, not polish, and it allows him to be the official soundtracker for people with turbulent emotions and larger-than-life feelings. 

The story being told on the album is a rollercoaster and never quite moves linearly. The symphonies yank, choke, explode, reverse, drop, and throw the listener throughout the record. If it were a movie, it would be much more Christopher Nolan than Martin Scoresesee. The fact that Dijon and Mk.Gee are so dedicated to making music from analog just improves the experience.

As best as I can tell, the essential ingredient that holds Dijon’s music together is his irresistible sense of sweetness. He somehow manages to be tender, even in the midst of his music’s hyperactivity. The album’s themes revolve around the feelings engendered by becoming a father to his first child, who he named Baby, as explained in the first song of the same title:

“Here comes your baby!” 

Well that’s a beautiful thing

Said I’m with it now, Baby

What a beautiful thing

I said “what about “Baby?”

That’s a pretty good name.”

With such an endearing premise as fatherhood, it is only natural that the foundation to the project is his achingly romantic infatuation with his wife. I mean… seriously. This dude loves his wife so much. And she loves him back. Not just in a sing-songy way either; this is easily the sexiest album in recent memory, although I suspect that a lot of people won’t listen closely enough to perceive that. Songs like Baby, Another Baby, (Freak It), and Yamaha are good examples.

The amorous and intimate dimensions of Dijon’s relationship to his wife does not, however, make him immune to the very human trappings of his new role. Throughout the album he wrestles with his own feelings of inadequacy and regret (Rewind), the complexities of the legacy handed down by his own dad (my man), fear of being abandoned (Loyal & Marie), and being forgiven for all of the above (Fire, Kindalove). But ultimately, the album ends similar to how it began: A deep and abiding affection for his wife, now reinforced by the bonds of parenthood and fidelity. Plus, them still sneaking in time to get hawt and heavy with each other (Automatic).

In conclusion, it is a refreshingly mature album from one of our premiere artists who I am thrilled has not lost his experimental edge. By virtue of choosing a lifestyle so rarely ventured by people with his level of talent, his sound and substance provides a type of rare relatability. The music carries so much of the tone that my own emotions make and the lyrics touch upon topics I actually hear discussed in disclosive conversations of real people. It is a triumph of a project and so timely for days like these. I will 10/10 be listening for a long while.