The next generation

The two artists today represent the next wave of music, young singer/songwriters who pay homage to the past while brightly looking towards the future. What is guaranteed, is great music.

Just Kids by Mat Kearney (Republic, available on Amazon.com). While comparisons have been made in the past to Chris Martin, the music on this new, complex album reminded me more of Paul Simon’s Graceland, especially in the case of the track One Black Sheep. But ultimately, Kearney is his own man, and you can place an emphasis on the songwriter tag as this one is like an autobiography or novella, which each song progressively encapsulating a phase in his life. There are radio-friendly songs — Heartbeat, Billion and the falsetto-driven Shasta are prime examples. And then there are tunes that are distinctly Kearney — spoken verses mixed with a super-catchy chorus — and the opener, Heartbreak Dreamer, being the best example. His lyrics resonate with anyone who has felt misunderstood, or thought himself/herself a loner/underdog. Really great lyrics and music here.

Maestro by Ky-Mani Marley (available on Amazon.com). When one searches for an individual creating a sustained global musical movement even beyond his lifetime, Bob Marley and his contribution to reggae will form part of the conversation. Ky-Mani is the second to the youngest of Bob Marley’s 11 children; and as an actor and musician, he carries his legacy well. Not merely regurgitating his father’s music, KM adds swirls of hip-hop, R&B and even jazz to the very contemporary version of reggae he creates. Get High is a great blend of hip-hop and reggae; while Love Over All carries a very Bob Marley message. Brother Damian and Matisyahu are among the guests on this strong, consistent album. With the likes of Ky-Mani, the music his father helped spread throughout the world continues to grow.