SA Rocks

aKING is one of my absolute favourite bands right now. Not favourites in South Africa, Favourite. Period.

Their melodic tunes coupled with the distinctive voice of their lead singer, the raw passion that they display and their incredible live performances make them one of the leading bands in South Africa without a doubt.

I have been waiting patiently for their latest release and it is finally here. Not only have they released their new album but they have progressed with the times and released it DRM-Free!

download aKING’s new album HERE

Here’s a little taster from their last album:

The album is called Against All Odds, which immediately reminds me of Phil Collins for some odd reason. Anyways, the track listing looks like this:

Set Ourselves Up

Fork In The Road

Face-brick Constellations

The Heart Of A Fool

Gentile Gentleman

You And I

Against All Odds

Blood Or Glitter

New Clear Season

The Wishing Well

Know Your Bones

Now the key here that you need to know is that I already have the album. I paid R77 for it and would do it again in a second. I wish more bands removed their heads from their backsides and did what aKING are doing – selling their music at affordable prices online. Done. Dusted. Do it.

Popularity: 9% [?]

OVERVIEW

I picked up a copy of 340ml’s new album Sorry For The Delay at their Assembly launch gig. I’ve been listening to it quite a bit since then, and these are my thoughts:

While this new album maintains their freestyle dub drumming, echoing organs, guitar and bass, overlaid with Pedro’s drifting radio vocals, they have done a number of collaborations with other South African artists as well as experimented with a few ska, electronic, light techno, basic funk and African elements. The lyrics vary between the catchy anthem hooks to those that are more socially focused with vaguely vocalised observations of some of the problems/issues in our Southern African society.

Sorry For The Delay was officially released almost exactly 4 years after their debut album Moving and although I don’t think that they’ve spent every possible moment in that time working on this album, I still do think that it’s an acceptable progression for 340ml. I especially like their selection of local artists that they chose to collaborate with.

TRACK BREAKDOWN

1. Regents Park is the opening track for the album. It starts off with revolver clicking before distant starry keys fade in and Pedro’s vocals, Tiago’s guitar, Rui’s bass and soft uptempo drumming from Paulo light up the track and introduce the album.

2. The Other Side is a nice typical 340ml dub style tune to get the album into gear. “Hitch a ride on the back, of a giant cat, on it’s way to the studio.”

3. Fairy Tales is one of the stand out tracks on the album. A fun sound that picks up to a festive Parisian accordion sample and then into a light techno dance version. Seriously, it’s cool.

4. Make It Happen features Thandiswa Mazwai, most well known as the lead vocalist and song writer from the group Bongo Maffin. Her powerful voice adds and energetic African accent to the township highlife style of this track. Refreshing.

5. Moodswings is a quiet tune featuring Pedro singing and Tiago plucking out a nice little guitar riff.

6. The Untitled Song is also a nice township jazz style to bring back the mood after the previous track. Something about Pedro’s singing on this one reminds me a bit of Jack Johnson.

7. Kubrick is slow dub track with some nice drumming and a message. They encourage you to “open your eyes” to the issues in society and look into the future. I’m assuming the name is a reference to Stanley Kubrick.

8. Saint-Leu featuring Cape Town born dub artist Levi Pon The Mic who now resides in Jo’burg, is also one of the tracks that stand out. South African style guitar riff and a grooving chorus.

9. Lesson One is more of a reggae tune as it features the reggae group Tidal Waves and speaks out against the wicked people in society and their lack of respect for others.

10. Australopithecus, which I’m sure you already knew, is a primate fossil with human and apelike charectaristics from Africa that can be aged between 1 – 4 million years. This is one of the more upbeat ska tracks of the album that grows on you with each listen.

11. Sorry For The Delay Featuring Drean From Zong could be a song about leaving behind the focus on the problems of the Southern African region. Well produced track though, with very cool guitar, panning electronic beeps and flanger effects. Also a grower.

12. Radio 75 is the first single from the album and has the anthem like line “We are the people inside your stereo, sending a signal to destroy your radio.” You must have heard it by now. Also catchy.

13. Untitled is the finishing track on the album and sounds like a Radio 75 reprise serving as an outro.

WHERE TO GET IT

Sorry for the Delay is available countrywide in Look and Listen, Musica and indie stores. If you can’t find it, request it. Or you can just win it below..

COMPETITION

Sheer Sound sent me a copy of Sorry For The Delay but since I’ve already got it, I have no need for this. If you want to stand a chance of winning then click here to comment on the competition post. Cape Town only.

Popularity: 7% [?]