Brand New Eyes The Green
Arriving as their sixth studio full-length, BRAND NEW EYES (2021) finds The Green continuing to refine the sophisticated, multi-layered sound that has made them a foundational pillar of the Easy Star Records roster. Following the Billboard-topping success of 2017's MARCHING ORDERS and the stripped-down, acoustic reinterpretations of 2019's Black & White, the O'ahu-based sextet shifts their focus forward. Written and recorded in the wake of the pandemic, the 11-track LP captures a period of profound personal growth, balancing the group's intricate vocal harmonies with sleek, contemporary production and heavy rhythm sections.
While their earlier releases often kept their guest lists strictly tied to their local community, BRAND NEW EYES intentionally expands the band's collaborative scope. The energetic lead single “Feelings” taps longtime peer and frequent collaborator J Boog alongside dancehall standout Gyptian. Further guest appearances from Italian dub specialist Alborosie on the rhythm-heavy "Feeling Free," as well as Keznamdi on the soaring "Blue Skies," add distinct international textures to the tracklist. Behind the boards, the album connects The Green to the wider Easy Star ecosystem through the expertise of renowned Jamaican producer Phillip "Winta" James. Known for architecting modern classics for artists like Protoje and Easy Star roster staples Samory I and Mortimer, James lends his analog-style approach to the lover's rock standout “Recipe”," brilliantly anchoring the band's vocal arrangements without crowding the mix.
Thematically, the album is deeply rooted in its title, which the band describes as a testament to viewing the world through the perspective of their growing families. Moving past standard genre tropes, the songwriting focuses heavily on maturity, commitment, and fatherhood, highlighted by grounded tracks like "Young Man" and “Coming Home”." By pairing deeply personal lyricism with ambitious production and an expanded roster of features, BRAND NEW EYES serves as a confident milestone. It reinforces The Green's ongoing evolution since their 2011 label debut, Ways & Means, cementing their status as dynamic, enduring heavyweights within the global Easy Star family.
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