With this boiling summer that the UK’s been having so far, there’s absolutely nothing better than chilling in a field at a music festival with an ice-cold cider / beer / some form of alcoholic beverage. And with that, you’ll always need some decent music to really get into the summer vibe.
This is where New Town Kings step in. Hailing from Colchester, Essex, this nine-piece reggae ska band have been doing the rounds for a bit now. They’ve played a variety of gigs and festivals, from South London squats and pubs to festivals such as Boomtown, One Love, and Secret Garden Party; they’ve also shared stages with ska legends Reel Big Fish, as well as The Slackers and The Skints, among others. And with a blend of smooth reggae and ska, they’re certainly ones to keep an eye on, especially with the release of their latest EP, ‘Pull Up & Rewind’.
The EP only contains a mere four tracks and clocks in at twelve minutes, but is a short and sweet release that’ll leave fans wanting more within moments of hearing opening track ‘Change’. A smooth, funk-filled track, it sets the senses tingling while Dabs Bonner’s mighty and polished vocals croon over the saxophone and trumpets. ‘Luna Rose’ and ‘Grabbed a Hand’ pick up the tempo a bit. And, again, the main focal point is Bonner’s vocals – they’re incredibly sleek and effortless, indicating that Bonner is a man of extraordinary talent. Closing with ‘Cool the Pressure Down’, this release shows that, while New Town Kings may not be everyone’s cup of Rosy Lea, they still own endless bundles of talent and passion for what they do.
JESS TAGLIANI