Natty & The Rebelship - Release The Fear
- Written by Gareth Hack
Seven years after Natty’s popular debut, Man Like I, comes the next instalment from the London-based artist.
This time round, with the help of his band, The Rebelship, Natty is back proving why his musical messages matter on Release The Fear. This release sees Natty embrace the reggae roots direction that he has grown his reputation on, but with a bunch of new variations.
Album opener and first single ‘I’m Alive’, conjures up a feeling not too dissimilar to what the song title suggests. Natty’s lyrics have always been a vital part in his artistry, and on this record possibly more so. Beautifully insightful and principled: “Some people fight to survive / So I'm gonna celebrate my life / Tonight I dance ‘til I see the day / I’m alive.”
’Streetlights’ takes on a similar approach as the Londoner makes clear his priorities with modern technology fogging humanity’s outlook on the simpler things in life. Eradicating the absence of complications through stargazing and face-to-face conversation with other human beings are a few values embedded within the album.
While there are a couple of tracks that have taken on a less traditional sunny vibe, Release The Fear still has its fair share of reggae fruitiness. ‘Stand Up (In Love)’ and ‘Gaia’ are the perfect addition to any pre-summer blues that any listener may be suffering. Both full of bounce and packed with enough Rasta love to keep the cold days at bay.
Approaching the end of the record, Natty has continued to keep lyrical content serious but never overbearing. ‘Things I’ve Done’ is a smooth and powerful earnest account of a man reflecting on his life and asking for forgiveness for previous mistakes. Just as touching is the final song. Title track and full of reflectional qualities is ‘Release The Fear’. The track ends the album the best way that it could. An artist known for his wise words, Natty talks of embracing the unknown, releasing the fear and jumping right in. And this is just one of the many ideas that might be worth taking away from this great piece of work.