While classic Reggae lyrics focus on poverty and political suppression, Lymie Murray’s debut album Happy Days has made its way into the light. When most people think of Reggae music, they think of Bob Marley’s infamous Legends album. What most people don’t realise however is that Reggae music has been growing and developing since Marley’s sixties release. As the title hints, Murray’s Happy Days is filled with lyrics of pretty girls, longing, and good times.
Murray’s velvet voice hugs around that rich horn and tinkling pianos that emerge through the guitars, bass and drums that ground the sound. Murray has stayed true to his roots by keeping the Reggae signature sound of focussing on the offbeat. However, he has also decided to push the genre’s boundaries. “I’ll take care of you” for instance, has a cool Rn’B vibe, a slick beat that moves in a circular motion that would fit perfectly into any low lit luxury bar.
Happy Days is a smooth album that passes through romantic tides as Murray yearns for the company of his current flame. This is not a painful; “I would do anything for love” kind of longing however, Murray is clearly too laid back for such Meat Loaf-ian acts of drama. Instead Murray comes from a more organic place, working from an internal paradise as optimistic phrases spills out through the speakers, leaking into your ears. “Happy days are here to stay” he sings, from his state of cemented euphoria.
Each track flows effortlessly into the next, helping creating a chilled ‘ain’t got no problems’ atmosphere. This is no cheesy Tiki shirt wearing, pina colada sipping album. Positive vibes and moving beats are presents, but it isn’t contrived, Murray is operating from an authentic front. While most artists use the struggle of pre-recording days to fuel the fire of their debut album, Murray instead offers the refreshing attitude of gratitude. Acknowledging his fortunate life, Murray sings “Got my wife, got my family, peace and love was bestowed upon me.”
While Happy days is largely upbeat, “Love we had” gives diversity to the album by allowing a darker shade to come in. Murray sings of a lost love he can not let go of, “love we had stays on my mind.” Regret seeps in as it dawn on Murray that he’s let go of a good thing singing “you meant more than I realised.” “Love we had” is cleverly followed by the album’s title track “Happy days” bringing back good vibrations.
“Everytime I touch you” features a melodic hook that gets you straight away. Murray’s heartache is expressed through his flawless vocals that remain smooth but feature a thronging intensity. It is pretty much impossible to listen to this without at least doing a head bop. Murray fleetingly shows off his falsetto (which appears to be done with ease) on this and others tracks. Happy days is a soulful ensemble that would easily thread any event together, weaving amongst its listeners and looping them together in contentment.
Murray’s velvet voice hugs around that rich horn and tinkling pianos that emerge through the guitars, bass and drums that ground the sound. Murray has stayed true to his roots by keeping the Reggae signature sound of focussing on the offbeat. However, he has also decided to push the genre’s boundaries. “I’ll take care of you” for instance, has a cool Rn’B vibe, a slick beat that moves in a circular motion that would fit perfectly into any low lit luxury bar.
Happy Days is a smooth album that passes through romantic tides as Murray yearns for the company of his current flame. This is not a painful; “I would do anything for love” kind of longing however, Murray is clearly too laid back for such Meat Loaf-ian acts of drama. Instead Murray comes from a more organic place, working from an internal paradise as optimistic phrases spills out through the speakers, leaking into your ears. “Happy days are here to stay” he sings, from his state of cemented euphoria.
Each track flows effortlessly into the next, helping creating a chilled ‘ain’t got no problems’ atmosphere. This is no cheesy Tiki shirt wearing, pina colada sipping album. Positive vibes and moving beats are presents, but it isn’t contrived, Murray is operating from an authentic front. While most artists use the struggle of pre-recording days to fuel the fire of their debut album, Murray instead offers the refreshing attitude of gratitude. Acknowledging his fortunate life, Murray sings “Got my wife, got my family, peace and love was bestowed upon me.”
While Happy days is largely upbeat, “Love we had” gives diversity to the album by allowing a darker shade to come in. Murray sings of a lost love he can not let go of, “love we had stays on my mind.” Regret seeps in as it dawn on Murray that he’s let go of a good thing singing “you meant more than I realised.” “Love we had” is cleverly followed by the album’s title track “Happy days” bringing back good vibrations.
“Everytime I touch you” features a melodic hook that gets you straight away. Murray’s heartache is expressed through his flawless vocals that remain smooth but feature a thronging intensity. It is pretty much impossible to listen to this without at least doing a head bop. Murray fleetingly shows off his falsetto (which appears to be done with ease) on this and others tracks. Happy days is a soulful ensemble that would easily thread any event together, weaving amongst its listeners and looping them together in contentment.
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