PREMIERE - King River Rising offer up silky smooth reggae groove on new single, 'Take It Easy'

Melbourne big-piece roots/reggae rascals, King River Rising return with their first track of 2023, offering a big tasty slab of silky vocals, feel good lyrics, smooth licks and groove in ‘Take It Easy’.

Delivering on their musicianship, the track pays homage to their roots/reggae influences, while also showcasing the wealth of experience within the group.

The whole track builds slowly but surely, with the rhythm section of Thom Swain (bass) and Miguel Hutton (drums) staying in the pocket, and driving the clever guitar, horn and piano riffs that paint the scene, and lock in, with broad and specific strokes. It’s a guaranteed toe-tapper, and transports the listener elsewhere.

‘Take It Easy’ is breezy, rocksteady goodness; not too slow, just the right amount of pocket groove, sublime vocals, a subtle bubble on the keys, and a horn section that mirrors the lead lick. It’s palm trees gently swaying, with waves lapping at the sand, and the overall feeling of being in the moment and away from the stress of everyday life. King River Rising switch gears two thirds of the way through, picking up the pace and adding some spice to the step. A solid one drop is one that provides just the right amount of bounce, and balances with plenty of space, and the KRR lads have delivered this; an Australian Roots/Reggae gem with ‘Take It Easy’.

The song’s crescendo sees an interlocking of melodic, rhythmic and lyrical ideas, not any easy fete for a 9-piece band to all hold tight and serve the song.

With a hectic tour schedule which have led them to all corners of the East Coast and Victoria, the group have enjoyed packed-out shows from Melbourne to Noosa. While Covid slowed things down, this first track of 2023 marks what will be a year full of festival appearances, single launches and the release of an EP.

So sit back, relax and enjoy King River Rising’s distinctly Australian take on a classic genre… One that can hold its own in any reggae dominant country in the world!

‘Take It Easy’ is out on all streaming platforms from April 21, but you can hear it here first, premiering on The Point.