It's been three years since the Auckland-based 10-piece released their debut Rhythm & Rhyme, and these new tracks have been comprehensively road-tested in between.
Don't Keep Silent retains their percussive-oriented musical approach, with vivid colouring from the horns and guitars, but also sees them blending rock influences as well as more mellow tunes. Early single and album opener Drownin' In It has an urgent, rebellious energy, pushing against life's difficulties.
Ae Ae is a heavier, hard-rocking Spanish language track, which introduces new band member MC Paaka Davis on some slick Latin rhyming, though some of the spacey-sounding synths seem a little unnecessary. The gem in the crown of this album is also its shortest track.
The two-minute seductive groove of The Best For You and the beautiful croon of vocalist Richie Setford, accompanied by yearning brass takes you somewhere warm and intoxicating, and leaves you wanting to hit replay immediately.
It's neatly contrasted with the more contemplative, eddying Don't Keep Silent, while Spanish language track Naquela Estrada, has a Pacific flavour, which is fun and breezy.
