Nominated by: KS
Music club: Wander to Wozza's
Playlist addition: We Made It
Six60 is a pop rock band from Aotearoa. They are a big deal in NZ with the younger crowd, plus Kevy and mos probs GK as well! Previously, I have had them pegged as a boy band but they are actually four musicians - Matiu Walters (lead vocals, guitar), Ji Fraser (lead guitar), Chris Mac (drums, bass guitar), and Marlon Gerbes (guitar, bass guitar, synths).
Matiu has a sweet R&B delivery that is a bit like Bruno Mars at times (opening track Don't Talk is a case in point). While I really like that opening song, overall, I tend to prefer the jazzier, more experimental style of Fat Freddy's Drop to the pop-oriented approach of Six60.
Six60's debut album is a pretty straight-forward pop/rock album. After that they embraced synth-pop and now they've changed tack completely.
They have definitely embraced reggae as a genre on Right Here Right Now and that gives a sameness to the songs. Depends on your p.o.v. whether that's a weakness or a strength. As I said, I prefer the more varied approach from similar Nu Zild bands like L.A.B, Fat Freddy's Drop, and Katchafire.
Highlights for me all come early - Don't Talk, We Are Kings and Hurricane would be the three standouts for me. Plus, Father's Eyes is catchy and deals with anger and violence (like Red Mist) but presents things as a cautionary tale which feels like an important message for the band's audience.
The lowlights - Red Mist - I have a problem with a jaunty style being used to create a very mixed picture of domestic violence. The male character is almost presented in heroic terms before we get to the line about using his fists. I skipped this one each time. Same Dirt - the drum sound immediately turned me off, and I found the lyrics a little trite.
A mixed bag for me then, but the positives outweigh the negative - hence the three stars/ pretty fine rating.
