THE HERD – FUTURE SHADE

Whether you think of it as one of Australia’s most genuine musical sounds or a collection of cringe-worthy cultural clichés, Aussie hip-hop has definitely made a name for itself over the last decade or so. Broad accents, cultural and political concerns and a huge mix-bag of samples and sound-bites are key features in the music of big names such as Bliss N Eso and Hilltop Hoods. These descriptors certainly apply to Future Shade, the sixth album from Sydney-based The Herd. References to ‘four-litre casks’ and ‘muck-up day’ plague A Thousand Lives, and the brassy Red Queen Theory is a not-so-subtle dig at several recent government policies. But despite such culturally-specific themes, Future Shade is ultimately a call-out to the widest possible audience. The Middle-Eastern sounds on Salary Cap compliment themes of racial discrimination, and My Sister’s Palace is a deeply personal ode to minorities everywhere. Singer Jane Tyrrell takes centre stage on several tracks such as Grandma’s Song and Signs of Life, giving them an attractive soulful boost. The range of sounds and samples is undeniably impressive, but the lyrical content makes The Herd seem desperate to unite an army of Australian minorities for whatever cause seems appropriate. But whether you prefer your music to stand for something or not, everybody should find something appealing in Future Shade. *** ½