Ketchy Shuby The Watermelon
Those that caught the surfer soul of last month's First Look Friday featuring Ketchy Shuby's single "The Watermelon," know that the Miami-based sextet ain't nothing to mess with. Combining the untreated vocals of a young Paul McCartney and a set of grooves that are true throwbacks, the debut album's title acronym S.M.I.L.E. (Still Making It Look Easy) is more than fitting. Whether in homage or blatant emulation, the album's true success lays in its ability to coherently mesh the electricity of the 70's with the rawness of the early 60's in a manner that excuses them from any chronology.
Their dynamic freshman release features tracks like "Indians" that have the immovable presence of Otis Redding's compositional stylings with the anthemic hubrus of groups like The Turtles, contrasted by the heartfelt and lilting woodwinds of the title track "Smile." Ketchy Shuby's ability to morph from sweet to cool to savage is wonderfully natural and wholly promising. Some say that the mark of a great debut is the ability to captivate with nuance, and in that manner the album is a sure triumph. Strutting its impressive hooks and old-school musicianship, the playful, soul infused recordings are a fine addition to the soul and pop continuum. Officially being released on September 24th, check out our exclusive premiere of Miami's soul-crashing newcomers below.
