Album review: ‘Music is the Answer’ by SHEBAD

The Guelph-based band, SHEBAD, just released their debut album Music is the Answer, a love letter that shows their devotion to music and their craft. The group has claimed to have taken inspiration from artists such as Stevie Wonder and Erykah Badu, which is present in their jazzy and sonic melodies. 

Every song feels airy and light, and each one has some sort of mantra for the listener. It leaves a lingering sense of positivity after listening through the tracks. It is a feel-good album, and encapsulates a grounded, yet spiritual energy throughout. It’s clear that the band did not really care about the typical, perfectionistic collection of tracks. There is a subtle messiness that can be appreciated. This album is perfect for blasting in the shower, or while trying to pull an all-nighter.

There’s a lot of fun use of instruments such as the piano, violin, bass, and some wind instruments. Songs like “Time Takes Time”, “Waves”, and especially “Black Walnut,” represent this array of instrumentation. Here you can hear the purposeful use of strings and bass that really absorb the listener. Other tracks that show off the band’s heavenly vocal magic are “Division” and “Brother”.

This album genuinely explores growth and the process of leaving behind what no longer serves us. The most memorable songs on the album have this euphoric positivity almost pumped into them. It almost feels like a reassurance from the band, such as in “Love is a Message” (“She’s a mystery, free her energy”).  In “The Heart,” they express the same comfort by singing, “listen to the heart inside you, beggin’ you to go.” 

SHEBAD has put themselves on the map with this album, and it will be exciting to see what else they create in the future. As they grow together as a band, I hope to see a more carefully curated track list. However, this album is already an amazing display of instrumentals and vocals.