Oakley Grenell - EP Review: Style Dem Ripe
Oakley Grenell caps off 2020 with a wicked dancefloor-oriented EP showcasing a range of vocalists over bouncy,
bass-fuelled tunes with a trademark reggae flair. A few years in the making, it’s another solid addition to an already impressive discography.
The title track Style Dem Ripe is an impressive opener with Deadly Hunta providing authentic dancehall vocals, a wicked clap-heavy build-up rising into a funky, syncopated drop. Chant Down Babylon places horns and off-stroke guitar plucks over a spooky synthline with Ashka delivering down-pitched Babylon vocals.
OG steps up on remix duties for NZ producers Shottaz on the anthemic Chimbambaira, bringing claps and chunky kicks for a real fusion of African influences, with Zimbabwe artist Nutty O laying down a patois-heavy summertime flow. Frenemy showcases NZ’s queen of dancehall reggae Rubi Du who spits fire over a stomping riddim and cheeky synths.
Rounding things out, Wacklaa spins a tongue-in-cheek tale of a wayward girlfriend on Oh My God, a fun tune with a bouncy beat that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Closer Serious Time, released as a single earlier in the year (read my review here), is the most contemplative tune on the collection, with its message about humanity’s capacity to bounce back from tragedy, wrapped in a skank-inducing beat and carried by Rayhjah45’s soulful voice.
Production across the board is tight and punchy with all elements sitting nicely in the mix, and while it’s geared more towards the dancefloor, this is a set of songs that would roll out nicely on some car speakers cruising through a summer evening.
About Oakley Grenell
Oakley is a Christchurch Jazz School Scholarship Graduate of Guitar. He is a member of the highly popular reggae band Bunyip and also recently formed the group the Otautahi Allstars. This group was formed, recorded, gigged, and disbanded all in the space of 2 weeks.
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Oakley Grenell
Releases
Other Reviews By Gwarden
DeLaye - EP Review: Blankspace.
17 Nov 2021 // by Gwarden
20 year old producer DeLaye creates music that defies easy description. Inhabiting the experimental electronic space pioneered by the likes of Aphex Twin and championed by modern masters such as Flying Lotus and Four Tet, his music features fat glitch-hop bass kicks and chopped beats anchoring sonic explorations that ebb and flow with intent.
Read More...
Mac Summer - Single Review: Web of Life
16 Nov 2021 // by Gwarden
Mac Summer may be a brand new name to drum & bass fans, but this new alter ego comes from Malcolm Welsford, who has been involved in the NZ music scene for over 30 years, most famously as the man behind the legendary York Street Recording Studios. Having produced a range of guitar-based Kiwi bands from Shihad to Supergroove, he has perhaps surprisingly turned to electronic music production with this foray into the saturated drum & bass market.
Read More...
EM/FM - Album Review - Quixote
03 Nov 2021 // by Gwarden
Fitting snugly into the still-relatively underground retrowave sound (an umbrella term loosely used to describe the synthwave/vaporwave microgenres), EM/FM’s debut LP Quixote taps directly into the 80’s nostalgia vein and mines it for woozy pathos and dreamy yearning. Utilising many of the hallmarks of 80’s synth-heavy composers and movie soundtracks, from Phil Collins-esque reverbed drums, plucked bass twang, and all the analog synth tones you could dream of, it’s a fascinating re-composition of elements elevated to pastiche by focusing on real emotion and modern songwriting.
Read More...
Hotel Death Star - Single Review: The Daylight
10 Sep 2021 // by Gwarden
Hotel Death Star are a relatively new duo, finding life in 2020 when singer-songwriter Phil Stoodley collaborated with composer-producer Andreas Arianto to craft their interpretation of melodic deep-house blended with more traditional songwriting elements. Fans of electronic genres will find plenty to like here, but crossover appeal might be limited.
Read More...
Shapeshifter - Album Review: Rituals
17 Aug 2021 // by Gwarden
Shapeshifter (affectionately known as ‘Shapies’ by fans) are a New Zealand music institution. With over 2 decades of live shows, 4 EPs, 5 full-length studio albums, a handful of music awards and a reputation as the best live Drum & Bass act in the world, they’re both revered locally and ambassadors of the sound worldwide.
Read More...
Gig Review: Shapeshifter @ Christchurch Town Hall - 30/07/2021
02 Aug 2021 // by Gwarden
Back on the road after a few months of downtime, Shapeshifter return for a national tour in support of their seventh studio album Rituals. Kicking things off in their hometown Otautahi, the Christchurch Town Hall was host to another explosive, uplifting performance by one of NZs most treasured and traveled live acts.
Read More...
Truth - Album Review: Acceptance
23 Jul 2021 // by Gwarden
Low-tempo maestros Truth return to their Deep, Dark and Dangerous imprint with a long-player of sublime electronica. Billed as their most personal album to date, Acceptance captures the duo at their most introspective, a response to a world in crisis evoked as nostalgia-inducing reveries and cavernous meditations.
Read More...
Anna Wild - EP Review: WOOL
22 Dec 2020 // by Gwarden
WOOL is the first project from Wellington-based artist Anna Wild, and it comprises 3 ambient/electronic instrumental tracks in conjunction with a 10 minute short film providing visual accompaniment. This visual EP was created to go hand-in-hand; while the music can certainly be absorbed on its own, it’s through the film (directed and animated by Taizan Yamada) that the depth of meaning shines through.
Read More...
Most Viewed Artists
Latest Galleries
NZ Top 10 Singles
- APT.
ROSÉ And Bruno Mars - DIE WITH A SMILE
Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars - BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Billie Eilish - TASTE
Sabrina Carpenter - I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
Gracie Abrams - ESPRESSO
Sabrina Carpenter - SAILOR SONG
Gigi Perez - LOSE CONTROL
Teddy Swims - A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
Shaboozey - GOOD LUCK, BABE!
Chappell Roan
More Content on muzic.net.nz
Google Site Search
100% New Zealand Music
All content on this website is copyright to muzic.net.nz and other respective rights holders. Redistribution of any material presented here without permission is prohibited.
Report A Problem
