Something Zesty - Album Review: Funk’t Up
Something Zesty is a musical project from solo-artist Iain Chamberlain and Funk’t Up, released in early 2021, is his debut album. It offers a mix of easy going funk riffs and enjoyable guitar-infused tracks overlaid with urban vocals. What makes it special is its array of experimental sounds which take, what might be beachy funk-pop, to an altogether another level. I’d say this is down to Chamberlain’s creative talent in bringing narrative and visual work to his musical output. It’s just good, imaginative and accessible music.
Chamberlain is the modern one-man band, instead of rigging up pan-pipes and a tambourine to his limbs, he’s composed a complex arrangement through programming and recording. These types of people, who bring all the instruments together in their musical vision, have a way of captivating, most obviously because of their talent, and with Something Zesty it’s also the creative output which covers everything from lyrics to album cover work.
I enjoyed the computer noise funk of the opening track Welcome To The Kitchen. The strong second track Dr Funk has seductive familiar funk riffs and continues with what ends up sounding like the soundtrack to an a very cool vintage console game. It’s hip, for sure. Funky music is going to free your soul, it claims. I’m in.
In 0800 ZE5T distorted vocals are arranged alongside electric guitar chords, it's a multi-layered musical piece which holds your attention. In Season Finale we hear a more mellow vibe with piano taking centre stage overlaid with epic guitar chords, at only 1.02 minutes it’s almost finished before it’s started, more please. That’s a nine minute track waiting to happen.
This is the kind of music you listen to with a good view and that lifts the mood. The closing track A Visit From The Future definitely has that dominant sci-fi funk sound and lyrics include "holding it down in this crazy world", which we can all attest to in recent times. Something Zesty bring a sort of space pinball theme tune with is funk sound and layers of instruments arranged effortlessly, a varied and sure footed first album.
About Something Zesty
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Something Zesty
Releases
Other Reviews By LouClementine
Gig Review: Carb on Carb @ Wine Cellar, Auckland - 17/05/2024
19 May 2024 // by LouClementine
Carb On Carb took to the Wine Cellar stage in Auckland on Friday night to showcase their album Take Time which was released on the same day, 17 May, 2024. As soon as I heard this band I instantly thought they would be amazing live, and I wasn’t wrong.
Read More...
Gig Review: Tess Liautaud @ Wine Cellar, Auckland - 4/05/2024
06 May 2024 // by LouClementine
Otautahi-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Tess Liautaud took to the stage of the Wine Cellar, a basement venue, on Karangahape Road, on an autumnal Saturday evening. Tonight was the Tamaki Makaurau show of her nine-date nationwide Gold Digger tour.
Read More...
Gig Review: Bach Musica NZ @ Auckland Town Hall - 14/04/2024
15 Apr 2024 // by LouClementine
The historic setting of Auckland Town Hall, with its long and celebrated history of live music, was the ideal location for Bach Musica NZ. This was the first of a program of performances taking place throughout the year and bringing to the stage some favourite classical music pieces.
Read More...
02 Dec 2023 // by LouClementine
Music venue haven that Karangahape Road is, it’s the perfect location for a festival takeover. Stopping short of closing the main street The Others Way festival seeks to fill every venue, at times simultaneously, with music.
Read More...
Gig Review: Ebony Lamb @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 10/11/2023
12 Nov 2023 // by LouClementine
Singer songwriter Ebony Lamb treated the tightly packed Auckland, Tamaki Makaurau crowd to a night of new music from her self-titled debut solo album. The gig was part of a seven-date Aotearoa tour which began October 27th, and finished in Paekakariki on Saturday, November 11th.
Read More...
Gig Review: Princess Chelsea @ Neck Of The Woods, Auckland - 19/10/2023
20 Oct 2023 // by LouClementine
Princess Chelsea began her international Everything Is Going To Be Alright tour, at Neck of the Woods in Auckland with a full house on Thursday 19 October. Bringing her 2022 album of the same title in its entirety to the stage, with her band Jasmine Balmer, Joshua Worthington-Church, David Harris, Joe Kaptein, Kate Tindall, and Simeon Kavanagh-Vincent.
Read More...
Gig Review: Clementine Valentine @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 16/09/2023
16 Sep 2023 // by LouClementine
Clementine Valentine took to the Whammy stage in Auckland on the fourth and final date of their nationwide album release tour. Their new album entitled The Coin That Broke The Fountain Floor, was released through Flying Nun Records in August 2023.
Read More...
Gig Review: Sofia Machray @ Whammy Bar, Auckland - 19/08/2023
21 Aug 2023 // by LouClementine
Sofia Machray brought her Language of Flowers show, the last of a five-night nationwide tour, to Whammy Bar in Auckland. Machray has recently released her debut 6-track EP and tonight was the premier of her music for Tamaki Makarau.
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
