Ziggy Marley – Brightside

After Record Store Day, the reggae singer Ziggy Marley releases his new album “Brightside”. The album is recorded in 432 Hz. This is an alternative tuning for music where normally the A4 is tuned to 440 Hz. The 432 Hz frequency is also known as the natural frequency of the universe. It is said to create warmer, calmer and more intimate sounds that are often experienced as healing and relaxing. Very fitting for an album like “Brightside” that contains personal songs, including the tribute to his father: “Many Mourn For Bob”.

With “Brightside”, Ziggy Marley delivers an album that, at its core, radiates intention and depth. To let the 432 Hz frequency come into its own, his studio at the new Tuff Gong campus was rebuilt. If you do not believe in healing frequencies and want a less spiritual reason why this album sounds so good, there can only be one other factor responsible: “Brightside” was recorded with a live band. The entire album is immersive and revolves around themes such as healing, reflection and perspective. The album is meant to be listened to on CD or vinyl to fully immerse the listener in the music.

“Many Mourn For Bob” is the first single from the new album and marks the first time Ziggy has written an original song in tribute to his father. The song is a moving homage to the legendary Bob Marley. It is rich in emotion and is accompanied by a music video featuring images of Ziggy’s childhood with his father. “Many Mourn For Bob” is vulnerable and full of sentiment. The development of the song is beautiful, with the emotion only intensifying as the track progresses.

Also worth mentioning is “Racism Is A Killa”. The song is straightforward and uses clear language. It is reggae in its purest form, a voice for the marginalised in which social justice is central. It calls for love and peace among people. Ziggy releases this while staying within his personal reggae style by adding a touch of funk and soul. If you prefer to ignore the message and overlook the meaning of “Racism Is A Killa”, apart from its social importance, it is simply a great track. The trumpet and bassline in this song are wonderful and carry the track in such a way that the almost five minutes of music fly by.

“Make It Paradise” uses a ukulele, which indeed gives the song a tropical, paradisiacal feeling. The previous track on the album “Sweet Divine” is a groovy love song that truly expresses that emotion. With “Make It Paradise” as its follow-up, it evokes the feeling of a successful love, the kind that makes elderly partners sway in each other’s arms in the living room.

“Brightside” is typical Ziggy and a perfect example of if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Ziggy has found his personal style within the reggae genre, and it works perfectly. The album feels optimistic and light. To convey this overall feeling while also including songs like “Many Mourn For Bob” and “Racism Is A Killa” is a true art form. “Brightside” is a beautiful album with a feel-good atmosphere. It sounds great, even if you are not a major reggae fan. Although lyrically it may not be Ziggy’s strongest work, he undoubtedly had a lot of fun producing this album, and that comes across clearly. (7/10) (Tuff Gong Worldwide)