Album Review: Lion Heights introduce “Outlaw Reggae” with “False Reality”
Photo courtesy of Lion Heights.
Excited to show the world what they’ve been working on, Lion Heights is back with a new, full length album titled False Reality for you to jam down on.
Coming out of Austin, TX, the boys want to show you a new flavor of dubby goodness, and they’ve coined their own label for the music they enjoy to create; outlaw reggae. Taken from a press release, bass-man Dane Foltin sheds a little light on the subject:
"The themes of reggae music have always reflected Jamaica’s history of rebellion," Foltin explains. "Given we are from Texas and feel like outcasts from the mainstream reggae scene, we have adopted the term ‘outlaw reggae’."
Not trying to fit into Jamaican Reggae or Cali Reggae scenes, the band has developed their own sound, stemming from their collective interests and musical inspirations.
“In the same way Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings created outlaw country as a response to what they disliked about mainstream country music," Dane says.
The music is moving, soothing and new. The “outlaw” concept is something I vibe with heavily; hailing from the heart of Texas, the outlaw country movement was a big part of my childhood. I praise the creators of this new reggae sector and I’m intrigued to see who else comes out with music under this umbrella!
The making of False Reality was a slight turn from their usual style and lyrical subject matter. The crew decided to create this album using only live instruments, full band and no samples. The words are more politically driven, addressing very concerning situations that are overtaking us one day at a time.
Dane explains: “The concept is that we can no longer trust or believe the information we are being fed. There are so many political and economic forces trying to manipulate the population for their own benefit. The world that most of us see isn’t even the real world. The news disguises sponsored content as factual news stories to get us to buy a product. Politicians make big promises only to do the opposite behind our backs. Social media plays with our emotions and psyche.”
The album starts with “Better Weather”, an island-dreamer’s anthem filled with thoughts of sunshine, palm trees and a loved one by your side. The brass and keys on this track mix wonderfully, keeping that beach vibe in time.
A couple songs ahead, “Reggae on the Rise” is an ode to the genre that moves us with a message of care and compassion to your fellow man; one of my favorite songs on the LP.
Title track “False Reality” comes in at number seven on the 12-song album, addressing the day-to-day struggles of corporations and government bodies trying to control your reality with misinformation and the world of haze it creates. The tune has power in it, organizing the thoughts everyone in this country must be having into a beautifully composed and lyrically solid offering.
Switching to a mellow, somber melody, “Ain’t What it Seems” is a composition about not having the words to write said composition. Sometimes you find inspiration in the void of what you think you’re seeking, and you may just have to let it find you in the process. There’s plenty more to discover on False Reality, so give it a listen and see for yourself what the gang has been up to in the studio lately!
There’s so many satisfying layers to this collection, they’ve definitely hit a homerun with the making of this album. The production value is outstanding, an unquestionable progression from their previous release and the lyrical content is rounded and quite robust. I hope “outlaw reggae” gains a foothold and we see this genre fill up with new artists seeking a home within!
