Album Review: The Cat Empire ‘Rising With The Sun’

The Cat Empire have got the cream once again, debuting their sixth album ‘Rising With The Sun’ at the top of the ARIA Chart. The album is an ode to everything that makes these guys Australia’s favourite and most eclectic 6-piece band – their inspired instrumental concoctions, lyrical prowess, and ability to create a sound that’s constantly in flux and yet instantly recognisable.

A relentlessly energetic and complex samba dance rhythm is a paramount building block and the final piece of the Bataclan puzzle – it will have you dancing even if you can’t explain how or why.

Opening track Bataclan is a complex construction of rhythmic and lyrical versatility. Regal horns paired with a deep, ruminating chant sung in French make for a strong start, the brass contrasting beautifully against frontman Felix Riebl’s warm, full vocal delivery. After the chant, a rousing drum rhythm suddenly kicks in, taking the tune in an unexpected direction. A relentlessly energetic and complex samba dance rhythm is a paramount building block and the final piece of the Bataclan puzzle – it will have you dancing even if you can’t explain how or why.

Don’t let the humble beginnings of Blasting Away fool you – after an opening filled with synth and extraordinarily clean vocals, this track morphs into a beast every bit as complex as the others with a similar Latin dance texture. Blasting Away is the musical embodiment of The Cat Empire’s unpredictability – it never really settles into a structural pattern, keeping you guessing from start to finish.

The album’s second single Bulls is the ultimate feel-good hit. Thanks to an unusual combination of poppy piano, laidback percussion, and Mexican-style brass, this track stand out for all the right reasons. The relaxed rhythm perfectly supports Riebl’s effortless, almost nonchalant vocal delivery. The single is an elegant product of natural talent and hard work, and even after a year, it remains as original and intriguing as ever.

The bubbly synth melody and trademark brass in Creature promises to boost your mood in under three minutes.

The bubbly synth melody and trademark brass in Creature promises to boost your mood in under three minutes. Lyrical rhythms and poppy synth offset the busyness of the melody, keeping the song feeling light and fun. Bursts of brass complete its transformation into another eclectic Latin dance track with hints of African chant-style vocals.

Cinematic track Daggers Drawn is just what fans have come to expect from The Cat Empire – a myriad of unexpected twists and turns. Its jungle rhythm, energetic dance vibes, and eclectic blend of styles  will take your imagination on a psychedelic journey, hopping from a jazz club to a hip hop show in a heartbeat. The rhythmic flair in the bridge is a highlight as the band shows off their penchant for layering and mixing things up. Daggers Drawn isn’t for the faint of hearing – if you can’t keep up, it might just leave you behind.

Intriguing vocal effects kick things off and feature throughout Eagle as the band delivers another experiential, rhythmically-diverse work of art. The drums have a starring role, providing a strong base for a plethora of other rhythms to weave around. Trumpet fillers make for a striking feature in the pre-chorus, creating a Mexican stand-off feel that permeates the rest of the song, while a host of percussive elements creates a different sound combination in every moment.

Intriguing vocal effects kick things off and feature throughout Eagle as the band delivers another experiential, rhythmically-diverse work of art.

In Midnight, breathy sliding vocals paired with glowing, extraterrestrial synth and hits of brass show the band at its most eclectic. A Jamaican-style bass rhythm keeps things mellow, and honest lyrics delivered in Riebl’s smooth, restrained vocal style are the glue that binds the elements together : “Music does something to me/I’m not the person that you think I am, you see/I’ve always been shy”.

Que Sera Ahora is like a duck floating in a pond – while at a glance it might seem relaxed and carefree, subtle nuances and plenty of hard work beneath the surface are keeping the song afloat. More mainstream than many others on the album, this track rocks a reggae rhythm with delicate, relaxed vocals and multi-layered harmonies. While a restrained percussion-free chorus in the final minute creates refreshing space on the track, it won’t be enough to keep that catchy melody out of your head.

Title track Rising With The Sun starts with a healthy dose of synth-affected brass, but it’s not long before the bongo kicks in with a familiar tropical rhythm, holding steady to support each word of the lyrics perfectly. Contrary to The Cat Empire’s usual style, the song keeps the percussion and harmonies stripped back to a minimum, focussing on unison and classic rhythms.

Wolves, the most pop-heavy track on the album, has developed a fan base (or pack) of its own since its release last year. The verses hit the mark with a quick beat, an infectious rhythm, and a healthy dose of electronica, but the chorus is an entirely different animal. Its smooth instrumentation, vocal harmonies, and simple rhythms create a beautiful contrast, once again demonstrating impressive diversity and versatility. If you’re craving something a little more mainstream, this track will satisfy.

Following the natural progression and loveable melody of Wolves, You Are My Song awaits to plunge you back into that beautiful state of flux-induced confusion for one last time. In the first verse, a syncopated bass melody topped with a blend of a hazy synth and punctuated by shakers produces a sound as eclectic as ever. The chorus mixes military brass and percussion with strong vocals before the song transforms into yet another Brazilian dance number, proving that you really can’t have too much of a good thing. The album draws to a close just as the line between predictable and innovative begins to blur, leaving old and new fans alike with a pleasant aftertaste.

Like a great fashion statement, ‘Rising With The Sun’ mixes  trends together, creating timeless pieces, clashes, and symmetry, and stitching it all together with golden lyrical thread.

Like a great fashion statement, ‘Rising With The Sun’ mixes  trends together, creating timeless pieces, clashes, and symmetry, and stitching it all together with golden lyrical thread. It’s difficult to define the music in terms of culture, time, or genre, but in the end it doesn’t really matter. This album is here, it’s now, and it’s completely different to anything else you’ve heard this year.

The Cat Empire have over 150 tour dates lined up for this year, so if you’ve fallen hard for ‘Rising With The Sun’, you won’t have to wait too long to hear all of the new songs live!

The Cat Empire ‘Rising With The Sun’ Tour Dates

SUN 27 MAR
Blues Fest, Byron Bay
FRI 20/SAT 21 MAY
The Enmore, Sydney
SUN 22 MAY
Canberra Theatre, Canberra
THU 26 MAY
The Thebarton, Adelaide
FRI 27/SAT 28/SUN 29 MAY
The Forum, Melbourne
WED 1/THU 2/FRI 3 JUN
Tank Arts Centre, Cairns
SAT 4 JUN
Magnums, Airlie Beach
SUN 5 JUN
Kirwan Tavern, Townsville

Get Tickets HERE