The Herd - Future Shade

Tue 30th Aug, 2011 in Music Reviews

If The Herd have proven one thing with their latest record _Future Shade_’ it is their longevity. The group have moved past hip-hop, whilst still using it to do their bidding, and created a diverse sounding record that is virtually flawless showing that this band can bend and flex with not only the current musical climate, but the political one as well.

Always ones to include politics in their subject matter, they have been given plenty to write about from economic abuse in the Latin flavoured Market Forces to asylum seekers in the bright, string laced Shihaba. Fans can expect some twists and turns including Ozi Batla using his impressive vocal chords to sing instead of rap, and a standout laidback electronic number led by Jane Tyrell called Grandma’s Song.

Whilst this all makes it sound like you won’t recognise The Herd that you know and love, fear not, the hip-hop flavours that the group cut their teeth with are constantly present. Especially on the other highlight, Red Queen Theory, a hard hitting party jam about our current PM set to sampled horns and the direct beat of The Sum Of It All. Ever musically proficient the band incorporates a heavy use of keys and synthesisers on tracks like the opener Spin Cycle and the laidback piano groove of A Thousand Lives. The record ends with the bright cruisy title track, which is primed for a summer soundtrack and Clash And Collide, a song that summarises the record well, combining old and new elements of the group’s sound.

If The Herd are still considered an Australian hip-hop act, then Australian hip-hop needs to catch up. Future Shade makes it hard to pigeonhole the band into any one genre as it combines several different styles presented with the most refined sound the band have ever had making this record a contender for best Aussie release this year.