South-West favourites The Barefoot Bandit are firing on all cylinders with their new six-track EP ‘Jungle Colours’, arriving hot on the heels of their recent take on The Clash’s ‘Guns Of Brixton’.
Across almost 20 minutes, the band dive headfirst into ska, reggae and dub, packing the record with bouncing brass, irresistible rhythms and choruses seemingly designed for packed festival fields. ‘Turbulence’ launches proceedings with infectious energy, before ‘Summer High’ delivers an appropriately sun-drenched lift. ‘Family’ offers a more reflective change of pace, while ‘Purple Paradise’, featuring Shiniece McMenamin, turns inspiration from Thailand’s Andaman coast into one of the collection’s most memorable hooks.
‘Guns Of Brixton’ adds another burst of live-ready fire before Canadian producer Dubmatix transforms ‘Summer High’ into a pulsating steppers-inspired finale.
Formed in 2015, The Barefoot Bandit have steadily become formidable fixtures of the UK live circuit, appearing at Glastonbury, Boomtown Fair and Boardmasters. And ‘Jungle Colours’ captures that hard-earned stage energy in a brilliantly concise package.