Betsy and The Reckless - Album Review: Salty
Salty is the debut album of Taranaki-based quartet Betsy and The Reckless. I've seen their style described as both "a fusion of reggae and soul", and "an RnB twist on Kiwi roots", but even that doesn't completely sum up this glorious musical melting pot. This is one of those fantastic albums where every song has its own unique character, showing a broad and strong range of differing musical influences.
Betsy Knox, who founded the band in 2020, has a wonderfully timeless voice. At times smoky and slinky, others bold and brassy, Betsy has a magnificent range, from vulnerable to victorious. Salty starts off with the sultry My Baby Don't Know, a perfect example of the 'reggae/soul fusion' description, and a tasty guitar solo too. Crazy Rager brought Amy Winehouse to mind, with a sassy soulful bounce. A slightly more mellow track follows, Blank Phone a sweetly reflective number both poignant and relatable.
The first thing that came to mind with You're A Vibe (Can't Explain It) was a comparison to Alicia Keys, with a particularly passionate and dynamic vocal performance. Another artfully delivered guitar solo in this one. Ghost is a wry, fun song comparing the social practice of "ghosting" with actual haunting. Liar's Debt (I Lie To You) is my favourite, a slow-burner that builds into a huge, rocking groove. The final track of the album, fittingly titled Leaving You Behind, has a strong reggae influence, with a deliciously danceable bounce, and another devilishly good little solo. Salty ends on a suitably high note.
I won't be remotely surprised to see this become many people's party album of the summer, just perfect for barbies, beaches, road trips and house parties. If you see that they're playing live anywhere near you, I reckon it's a pretty safe bet that they'd knock your flippin' socks off. Check out Betsy and The Reckless as soon as you possibly can.
About Betsy and The Reckless
Betsy and The Reckless are known for making a positive first impression; their no holds barred approach ensures it is a shared experience to remember. As a live band, audiences connect with the theme of the songs and Betsy’s smoldering lead vocals.
After the release of 3 singles, their debut album Salty is here!
Visit the muzic.net.nz Profile for Betsy and The Reckless
Releases
Other Reviews By Peter K Malthus
Narcotic Tonsils - Album Review: You'll Get What You're Given
18 Dec 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Now, I'm just going to get this out of the way right at the start: I know these guys, their guitarist Troy is a really good mate of mine, and I used to share a house with their frontman/bassist Andy - in fact, when he first started talking about a new band he wanted to put together, back in 2019. Two years later, Narcotic Tonsils erupted into being, and swiftly became my favourite Christchurch band (apart from the ones I'm in myself, obviously).
Read More...
Damien Binder - EP Review: Heartful
16 Dec 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Damien Binder is now well into his fourth decade of releasing music, and his third as a solo artist. He has an impressive back catalogue to show for it, and his latest EP Heartful sits admirably alongside his previous releases.
Read More...
16 Dec 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
I had a fair amount of trepidation about heading along to Otautahi Smoke BBQ Festival, the temperature was forecast to be 31 degrees, and I'm one of those folk who, as Billy Connolly so eloquently put it, is "so white, I'm pale blue". Luckily, I found a nice shady spot with a great view of the stage, and easy access to the free water station, and with a nice cool breeze blowing through, I didn't have to worry about burning to a crisp.
Read More...
Lavender - EP Review: Types Of Infatuation
29 Nov 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Types Of Infatuation is the name and the theme of the debut EP from Tamaki Makaurau based Lavender, who has been songwriting and performing from a young age, and whose style has developed into a well-crafted blend of indie folk-pop and alt-rock. Lavender has performed at many high profile events over the past few years, and if this EP is anything to go by, looks well set to go on too much bigger things again.
Read More...
Dylan Kay - EP Review: (I Could) Watch You Forever
29 Nov 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Dylan Kay is a seasoned player, having begun 35 years ago, and having been teaching for the last 25 of them, including setting up what is now Auckland's biggest guitar school, in 2012. Originally from the U.
Read More...
Star Chart - EP Review: White Girl Whining
26 Nov 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
White Girl Whining is the sophomore EP from Tamaki Makaurau-based Star Chart, a project created and fronted by Chrissie Hart, multi-talented multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire. After an impressive career of touring the world playing on cruise ships, in hotels, and as a session musician, she returned to her hometown to finally start recording some original music that she'd been quietly working on since high school.
Read More...
CAITLIN - EP Review: Legacy
22 Nov 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Legacy is the latest in an impressive list of releases from Otautahi-based CAITLIN, an EP comprised of her last three singles and one previously unreleased track, Attention. The four songs presented here amply demonstrate her growth and maturing as an artist and songwriter, as she examines the emotions involved in some deeply personal experiences, at times laying herself bare with rawness and honesty.
Read More...
19 Nov 2024 // by Peter K Malthus
Homemade Pills is a new album by Patients, one of the projects of Christchurch's Aeneas Jones. As well as fronting heavy rockers PhatSak and performing with Chickenyard and When I Was Sexy, Aeneas drew together the collective Patients to play and record this latest effort.
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
