Album Review: Malibu Shark Attack – Malibu Shark attack

Say hello to Malibu Shark Attack your new favourite cross-Atlantic post new- wave-prog-electronica-indiecore-synthpop-rap group. A group that proves as interesting in execution as they were in creation.  The official intro to their self-titled upcoming album goes thusly –

Malibu Shark Attack are Rocky O’Reilly (Belfast, N.Ireland) and Tribe One (Atlanta, GA)

O’Reilly is formerly of Irish indie-pop duo Oppenheimer.

Tribe One is one third of Atlanta group The Remnant.

Ideas & loops formed into songs & themes, as one uploaded tunes and hit the hay, the other would wake up and start recording lyrics and stories.

They called in a host of friends including MC Lars, Adam WarRock, Dizzy Dustin (Ugly Duckling) Tim Wheeler (Ash) Eimear Coyle (Wonder Villains) Dudley Colley (The Dudley Corporation) Kevin Steinhauser (Math The Band) and Jesse Dangerously.

So it seems obvious that the pedigree is there, but much like all high-concept ideas these things either sink or swim.  Ironic then for a band named after sharks that they not only swim but fly right out of the water!

The album starts with Better Off As Friends which serves as an ideal intro, not only showcasing Tribe One’s excellent flow but also Rocky’s genre spanning style. They set out their stall, citing excitement and fears about the project, as well as the fears of people who liked their previous groups The Remnant and Oppenheimer. It’s the mumblecore of hip-hop synth pop, with ferocious rhymes and a stadium quality chorus.

Things get  a little more aggressive with Yo Into New York a party tune if ever I heard one – it bangs along like a monster truck in a firework shop. Doing It Wrong, Back To The Start and Internal Organs take things down a notch as the album gets contemplative over friends, death and lost love. Each track touches the subject with care and the kind of introspect that might be surprising for some, coming from a rap song.  MC Lars’ guest spot on Back To The Start is not only welcome, but adds a little something extra to an already great track.  These 3 tracks are more reminiscent of Oppenheimers work and should please fans of the aforementioned band.

The Pulp Fiction inspired BDMTHFCKR steps things up a bit with guitars that could be straight off the soundtrack and a ‘Norn Iron’ accented shout out chorus that gives this track a rowdy edge. Wonder Villian’s Eimear Coyle sings on It Takes Time like a fairy in an echoey cave, which then makes way for the party of the year track Plans For The Weekend, an uplifting slice of the ‘don’t take life for granted’ ethos that permeates this album. The Only Thing Worse Than Failing is Not Knowing brings the psychedelic side of the project to the fore as Tribe One spits lines like a machine gun on a  quick track that’s both rousing and inspiring.