Zaa is a band from Serbia and is one of the most original bands coming from my country. On the first two albums their music was a classic mix of reggae, dub, and ska sounds, but with the latest one, titled What About they spiced things up, adding more guitar sounds, and incorporating funky elements. The result is quite enjoyable, although a little bit short in length.
What About is a stew of different music styles, but ska, reggae, and rock elements are clearly the foundation on which they build their unique style. The record saw the change in the vocal section and new singer brought more energy with her powerful voice, coloring the landscapes of What About with vibrant colors of late spring filled with life.
The album starts in a relatively chilled mood with ’99 Hope, after which comes the best song on the album titled Irie & Kool, reflecting a plethora of styles the band uses. Vigorous guitar work along with the sweet sound of trombone and Sanja’s galvanizing voice make Irie & Kool a proper hit that shines when performed live. Other standouts are dub-infused Summer Rain, rocking Leave Me Alone and upbeat We.
The guys (and a girl) excel at what they do, playing a crossover style of music without putting any part of the mix in the front of the stage; the album doesn’t follow any particular formula, so every song is a story for itself, both lyrically and musically. Production is excellent, with a seamless fusion of every instrument giving the listener an eclectic sound landscape perfect for enjoyment on headphones. What About is a quality fusion piece meant to be listened by everyone loving quality music. The only shortcoming of the album is its unimpressive span of under forty minutes; other than that there are no major flaws but, as always, it is up to the listener to get his own fell of the album.
