Diplo and company apologize to fans and attempt to tide them over with off-cuts.

Major Lazer’s Free The Universe was originally slated for a November release before being delayed until February 26, and now it is being delayed indefinitely. Staying in character on the the band’s Facebook page, the album “has been been kidnapped by General Rubbish and we all must embark on an epic journey to upset his evil plan so we can free the universe as planned with the album.”

Our fans are the most important part of what makes Major Lazer what it is. It is with that consideration that “FREE THE UNIVERSE” will not be released this month as previously scheduled. We never want to disappoint our supporters but circumstances out of our control have made us unable to keep the intended date. For anyone disappointed, we are truly apologetic and we promise that this hiccup has only made what we have planned for the album stronger. We tried extremely hard to keep the date but it was ultimately decided that rushing the album would have been unfair to you and everyone who worked so hard on it. An iTunes exclusive pre-order in the US will launch next Tuesday, 2/26 which will feature an instant grat download of “Watch Out for This (Bumaye).”

Free The Universe boasts an impressive and diverse list of guests, including Santigold, Vybz Kartel, Peaches, Shaggy, Wyclef Jean, Tyga, and Bruno Mars; perhaps it has proven difficult to nail down all those appearances, especially with a world tour about to start next week.

In the meantime, this first mixtape volume includes remixes of and by Major Lazer. Download Lazer Strikes Back Vol. 1 now; the tracklist is below.

Lazer Strikes Back Vol. 1:
1. Major Lazer & Flux Pavilion – Jah No Partial (Jack Beats Remix)
2. Major Lazer – Get Free feat. Amber of Dirty Projectors (Yellow Claw Get Free Money Remix)
3. Major Lazer – Original Don feat. The Partysquad (DGRC Remix)
4. Hot Chip – Look At Where We Are (Major Lazer Extended Remix)