Labeled “Band of the Week” earlier this year by Fred Perry Subculture, Shanty has been one of the most prominent UK reggae roots groups on the rise since their debut EP Leave Me Out was released last summer. With a fan-base escalating ever higher, the collective has yet to showcase novel material over the past year until now.
The song is sweet and savory for the end of summertime
“Longtime” is a buoyant single, both in content and cadence. The subject matter revolves around the irritation of nostalgia – literally “itching” for a person long gone. The track’s erratic doo-wop back-up vocals mixed with lead singer Ben Willis’ soulful crooning mimics the song style of yesteryear, heightening the nostalgia evermore. As per usual, Shanty skews away from traditional sound by adding subtle vocal reverb, a ska-reggae beat and a unique horn progression. The overall tonality of the song gets kicked up a notch by the trombone-trumpet bridge, leading directly to a prolonged beat where Willis delivers an unexpected a cappella chorus. The song is sweet and savory for the end of summertime: where the sun gets shelved away for fall and you reminisce on days past by.
The single is currently available on all digital outlets and Shanty has since proclaimed there is more to follow. The band has acknowledged that a full-length album is underway although a name and release date is yet to be determined.
Preview and download Longtime on:
Shanty – Longtime (Tour Video)
Released September 18, 2015 • ℗ 2015 Longtime
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Disclaimer: All views presented in this album review are those of the reviewer and not necessarily those of Top Shelf Music.
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