It’s hard to put a finger on Graffiti6.
This eclectic group, comprised of Jamie Scott and DJ Tommy D (among others), is all over the place. They bring in such a diverse variety of musical elements that classifying their music as one specific genre proves to be challenging. That being said, Colours is a good choice title for their debut album. The artful combination of beats, drums and string instruments, along with Scott’s soulful vocals really draws a broad spectrum of musical colour for the ear.
Perhaps it’s due to DJ Tommy D’s influence, but the ordering of the tracks is idyllic, seamless. The first few songs are upbeat, intended to hype us up. Everything takes a sharp turn mid-album with “Calm the Storm,” a meditative track that provides a surprisingly refreshing break. It’s such an unexpected track that I couldn’t help but welcome it. It piqued my curiosity and left me completely open to hearing the rest.
“Stop Mary” is just pure fun — no wait: make that “positively infectious.” It plays like a soundtrack to a sunny day. The lyrics in the chorus capture the song’s cheery essence perfectly: “You’re keeping it inside / It’s gonna be alright / Just take it easy.” It’s a head-bopping, finger-tapping, air-drumming, get-up-and-in-circles kind of track.
This album is so full of zeal that it’s hard to pick favourites. Coincidentally, the title track probably encompasses the most fitting description for it; “Colours” is an enlightening listen. The gradual layering of instruments, especially during the lines “Now I’m seeing colours,” is beautifully arranged. It’s both soothing and invigorating to listen to.
The final track, “Over You” takes a dramatic departure from the album’s high-energy theme. Listening to it almost hurts — partly because it’s a song about moving on from a painful relationship, but also because it marks the album’s inevitable end. The background accompaniment in this song is significantly muted; here, you can really take notice of Scott. He croons the lines “I’m over you” so poignantly that I can almost feel my heart physically breaking. It is a moving ballad that brings the album to a gratifying closure.
Colours is proof of Graffiti6’s versatility as musicians. I hate to use a cliché, but their album is a true roller coaster of sounds — they know how and when to bring your emotions up and take them back down. They really know how to capture your attention. Their music stimulates the mind as well as the soul.
4 ½ out of 5 stars
