The blend of hip-hop and rock is not a mix that is often done successfully, but Halifax group Brothers have managed to turn it into an art form with their new album Zebra.
The album takes time to make stops at numerous genres along the way. Certain songs, such as “People”, sound like they come straight from the bluesy swamps of the deep south. Others have a more high-energy country feel, such as “Wasted”. The hip-hop/rock combination, however, is the thread that ties the whole album together in a completely unique way.
Overall, this blending of flavours keeps the listening experience fresh, a constant surprise. The formula itself is fairly consistent, though. Taran Guest will open a song with strong harmonies, setting the mood. Brothers’ (actually first cousin) Tyler Guest then subverts expectations and turns the song on its head with his rapping.
Such a simple explanation might make it sound like the album becomes predictable after the first few songs. This is far from the case. Each new song succeeds in lulling the listener into a false sense of sureness of what’s to come, and each time these expectations are shattered.
The lyrical content of the album is also something to be noted. Each word, whether spoken or sung, oozes with soul. Messages of inspiration and overcoming self-doubt are a constant, and the group clearly takes as much pride in their message as they do their sound.
The debut single from the album, “Real World”, is definitely a highlight, and an interesting choice to showcase the overall sound they’re going for with this album and as a band. Rather than being fast-paced and fun, it’s slow and somber. Surprisingly enough, this backdrop works perfectly to complement both of the vocal styles present in this band.