Protoje - A Matter of Time (Easy Star, 2018)
Protoje’s last album was an eye opener and an excellent reggae album that felt refreshing and new. He’s releasing a new album called A Matter Of Time on June 29th.
Protoje will be supporting A Matter Of Time while on the road. The album maintains the essence of Jamaican roots music while channelling a wide array of styles from dancehall, dub, hip hop, and rock into one cohesive body of work.
From the orchestral, Ethio-jazz-meets-ska intro “Flames” featuring Chronixx to his popular cool ‘n’ deadly banger “Blood Money,” it is clear this isn’t your average reggae album. The vocoder-heavy skank of personal empowerment on “Mind Of A King” segues into the companion piece “Like This,” making for an anthemic double set. “Bout Noon’’ sculpts dusky, laid back hip hop into a sonically fresh groove – a style continued on the title track. He gives thanks on the uplifting, horn driven “Lessons” and cleverly links celebrity culture, sexism, politicians and social media to the demise of civilization on “Camera Show.”
Politics, corruption, religion, pollution and inequality are combated, but balanced with positive assertions on education, family and spiritual wellness. His call-to-action messages rejuvenate a new generation.
“It’s not as traditional as my last album, but it’s still authentic,” explains Protoje. “It’s more innovative, more global and more experimental. I want to elevate reggae culture and the world’s perception of it.”
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