Reviews

Cham’s Sherlock: Riddims, Resilience, and Pure Vibes

Aurorawave’s Monument: Reggae Meets Metal with No Apologies
Some bands flirt with fusion. Aurorawave kicks the door down. Their new album Monument isn’t a concept—it’s a collision, where roots reggae meets metal muscle, and both come out louder.

Royal Blu impresses while showcasing depth in “Spain Root”
Royal Blu impresses while showcasing depth in “Spain Root”. The Jamaican artist is able to inspire listeners while taking us on a journey from growing up in Jamaica’s Spanish Town to life today on the stage performing in front of fans in Kingston.

The Movement have made their “Visions” a reality in new album
The Movement have made their “Visions” a reality in the band’s new album. I’ve always enjoyed their music and I’m so impressed by their dedication and constant growth into the band they are today. Every aspect is on full display in “Visions”.

Cydeways continues perfecting nostalgic reggae rock sound in “Wasted Summer”
Cydeways continues perfecting the band’s nostalgic reggae rock sound in “Wasted Summer”. The Santa Barbara-based reggae rock group connects reggae, rock and pop in a silky smooth fashion and its tracks always bring vibes while taking listeners on a trip down memory line.

Claire Wright shines so bright in her big time album, “Holding on Tight”
Claire Wright shines so bright in big time album, “Holding on Tight”. It’s been so fun following the talented singer-songwriter’s musical journey and her latest album is a culmination of all her hard work and creativity.

From Kingston's Fire to Te Mata's Forge: Midnight Riders meets the Naram Rhythm Section
This collaboration transcends geographical and generational boundaries, harnessing the authenticity of Midnight Riders, Jamaican vocal tradition in combination with the innovative, analog-driven production of a New Zealand maestro Naram. Midnight Riders meets the Naram Rhythm Section masterfully balances classic reggae and dub elements with unique spirit, creating a memorable album that is both familiar and fresh.

Hawaii’s Inna Vision continues adding to his legacy with new album, “Faith and Deeds”
The hard working musician is always creating and his music catalog is amongst the strongest of Hawaiian reggae artists this generation. Inna Vision’s talent is on full display in “Faith and Deeds” and you’ll also appreciate his spirit of collaboration through the well picked features across the album.

DENM lays down heartfelt vibes in new album “HOT N GLASSY”
DENM lays down heartfelt vibes in the new album “HOT N GLASSY”. The super talented singer-songwriter is dropping music with a soul that has a unique quality that is novel to the reggae rock scene.

Authentic Heart, Resilient Riddims: F.Y.A.H.'s Debut Weaves Hope Through Reggae's Roots
F.Y.A.H.'s debut, Free Your Authentic Heart, makes a mighty statement. Blending reggae with a variety of diverse influences. The album is enriched, of course, by guest artists Steel Pulse, Hollie Cook, Glen Browne and Alborosie, who all bring a unique vibe to each track. Free Your Authentic Heart is an honest exploration of emotions, with messages of hope and resilience that firmly establish F.Y.A.H. within the reggae scene.

Black Woman & Child Reissue: Sizzla’s Revolutionary Sound Revived in Vibrant Vinyl
Sizzla’s Black Woman & Child is a timeless message of resilience, spirituality, and defiance against oppression. The reissue, with its remastered sound and vibrant green vinyl, revitalises this cultural cornerstone for a new generation.

Find your happy place and put all the BS behind with Artikal Sound System’s “Are You Smiling Yet?”

Ras Fraser Jr. showcases crucial voice in “I Am Conscious”
The son of reggae royalty Phillip Fraser, Ras released unto the masses this holiday season his sophomore effort, I Am Conscious. Perfectly succinct and potent at 10 tracks in total, Fraser does a splendid job over the solid production. Kicking off the proceedings with the up-tempo “In This Time”, he showcases a voice worthy of the Rasta leanings implied by the album’s title.

Find a sense of peace through “Peaks & Valleys” with Brendan Clemente
Find a sense of peace through “Peaks & Valleys” with Brendan Clemente. The talented singer-songwriter teamed up with Stick Figure’s Johnny Cosmic to bring his debut album to life. The 13 track LP shares a fresh and honest perspective over calming reggae rock meets pop influenced tunes with thoughtful lyrics and inspiring messages to dream big.

Channelling Change, Lacksley Castell’s Lasting Impact with Dub-Driven Morning Glory
Lacksley Castell’s masterful dub delivery of his poetic lyrics compliments the tempo of the album’s riddims flawlessly. This vibe naturally cascades throughout “Morning Glory”, creating an unmistakably dubby flow. I find “Morning Glory” invoking a dub trance within me, channelling Castell’s energy as he utters his verses taking me on a musical exploration.

Add Imeru Tafari to your list of talented reggae artists to watch for years to come
Tafari with his debut album, The Essential, confidently delivers one of the most solid premieres I’ve heard in a minute. With a powerful, yet melodious delivery the Kingston native delivers a 12 piece of heat worthy of sharing shelf space with some of your favorites in the game.

The innovative intersection of reggae, rock and electronic music
Super duo Unified Highway, made of Rebelution frontman Eric Rachmany and top tier producer Amp Live, continue their incredible run and collaboration bringing us the innovative intersection of reggae, rock and electronic music in the album, “Invisible Route”.

Make your soul feel good with Bobby Alu’s “Keep It Tropical”
Gold Coast, Australia native Bobby Alu is here to offer an assist in extending summer with his 5th studio long player, Keep It Tropical. Setting things off in fine style, B.A. knew the assignment and nailed from the onset with the uptempo opener,

Soulful Expressions and Deep Reflections: Mortimer shares From Within showing Vulnerability and Strength
"From Within" is a personal and introspective album, where Mortimer blends vulnerability and strength. Memorable collaborations with Damian Marley, Kabaka Pyramid, and Lila Iké adding depth, combined with Winta James' production, enhances its reggae roots with modern flair. Mortimer explores themes of injustice, love, faith, and growth, the album is both emotionally resonant and musically dynamic and a must listen.

Joe Samba aims to make you feel something with latest release, Lifeline
The soulful reggae rocker from the east coast has recently added a new set of tunes (ten, to be exact) to his already successful musical repertoire. Lifeline is Joe Samba’s third full-length studio album via LAW Records, and it’s quickly becoming a staple in my daily routine (this album has a song for every occasion…).