Single Review: Living in Colour

People who follow the NZ music scene will have probably noticed by now that musicians tend to move in circles dabbling in different types of music, and often work on each other’s projects or play in multiple bands throughout their careers. One of those awesome names to have hit the scene in recent times with 3 of his own EP’s is Geoff Ong. If you were to ask Geoff which instruments he has mastered, I’d imagine his answer would be ‘not many’. Geoff has recently paired up with the lads in The Mechanism (probably NZ’s fastest rising fusion style drum n bass band) and also Camo MC to release this insane new track Living in Colour to raise awareness (and donate all proceeds) to the guys over at Lifeline. Musicians earn pretty much nothing to begin with, so to do this is such an admirable move for the band. To top it off, the track is mixed by Malcolm Welsford and mastered by Chris Chetland, both who have worked with all of NZ’s most memorable artists, and the thing that makes the whole thing even more incredible, is that all the parts were recorded separately at different remote locations.

Riley kicks the tune off with that beautiful acoustic guitar that I’ve grown to love over the last 15 years with Geoff’s soulful voice laying down the main tune as the band builds – drums building slowly in the background, bass, Ben’s epic keys, percussion, electric guitar, and few other subtle tracks. The most gorgeous thing about the track is the shift from Drum n Bass to Ska feel through the verses. To beef the whole track up, Camo MC lays down this sweet rap break before the main tune breakdown, then it plays out with a wickedly catchy chorus that hangs around in your head like the tail end of summer running into Autumn.

As I write this review, I’m watching the music video watching Corey Friedlander (City Of Souls) rocking out on the electric kit laying down what most of you would think were sampled drums, but no, he has tracked them all (and performs them all live). Also I’m pretty sure I spy Sam Allen on bass as the driving force behind the tune. Suddenly it clips to a bunch of cameo’s from backing vocalists, at a glance, Noel, Chris, Vicky, Paul, Matt, James, Dion, Reuben, Emily, Gemma, Amanda, Camila, and Holly, who I have inside information may or may not have had a few G&T’s before being convinced to perform. I hope this makeshift choir gets the opportunity to feature in a live show one day!

I’ve been following The Mechanism since day one as I played in a side project (I like to think it was his main project at the time) with Riley who is one of the co-founders of the band along with Ben Hudson. If you go back to their original music and have a listen, you’ll see why this new track Living in Colour is so damn epic. It’s a huge shift in the right direction of the band. I would easily see them playing live and holding their own with L.A.B and Six60 which I know some of you reading this will think is a ballsy call, but if you don’t believe me, listen to the track!

Now that I’ve said my piece, do your thing, and go and support them. Better yet, spend any money you can on this track because you know the money is going to one of the most deserving causes.

Huge kudos to The Mechanism, Geoff Ong, and Camo MC for this dope new track!