Hailing from New Zealand (I know, not exactly known for its reggae music scene), Katchafire have risen to the top of their genre since their inception in 1997, so much so that their new album On The Road Again is one of the most highly anticipated reggae albums to be released this year.
Even if you aren’t a fan of reggae music this is an album that can be enjoyed… in fact it goes close to being the perfect summer album. The smoothness of tracks such as ‘Feels Like’ and ‘On The Road Again’ (a song about Katchafire’s heavy touring schedule no doubt) is enough to win over even the most extreme music critic.
If you’re in love you will easily identify with ‘Sweet As’ and soon you’ll find an infectious smile creeping across your mouth, likewise even though you try to fight it you will find yourself singing along to ‘Yr Dreaming’… the same can be said for ‘One Stop Shop’, a track that grows on you after a few listens.
The electronic feel of ‘Lead Us’ takes the album to a new level while the slowed down ‘Irie’ is an absolute gem. One of the highlights of On The Road Again is ‘Groove Again’ which deserves to be getting radio play on alternative stations.
I can see myself listening to ‘Chances Are’ on the hottest summer days this year while Katchafire experiment a little with ‘Is This Familiar’ by infusing some electronica and brass… and you know what? It works! ‘Seek Ye’ sees the band slow right down again while ‘Serious’ seems more jazz than reggae… but yet again the change in style works for Katchafire.
If you love reggae then you’re gonna love Katchafire’s On The Road Again, it’s a real reggae gem.
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