Album Review: The Cat Empire - Steal The Light

It is hard to expect anything when it comes to The Cat Empire as they have a reputation for being a Latin jazz and ska-influenced indie band, with a tendency to slip in some mellow hip hop and electronica, too.

Brighter Than Gold acts as the opener for the band's sixth release and begins with the horns and drums creating an eerie yet upbeat tempo, accompanied by some bouncing basslines and Felix Riebl's vocals. The chorus slows things down where a stunning harmony occurs among band members, leading into the post-chorus bridge with a horn and percussion-fuelled dance frenzy. It is a great way to begin a record, but it's possible that it's the climax of the entire album.

The title track is very much a ballad as it's slower and more theatrically charged than anything else on this album with what sounds like an entire horn orchestra, while the harmonies sound like a large choir is positioned behind them. You can imagine it being sung at the Opera House with a 70-piece ensemble, dancers and an incredible light show. The band tune into a jazz sound on Wild Animals, with an inspiring vocal performance where Riebl shines through, and sombre horns accompany him. Like A Drum provides the audience with some Latin fusion by the always brilliant horns, but with a strong keyboard sound, too. It paints a picture of Rio Carnival with bright colours and beautiful women dancing, such tropical themes prominent across the entire album. Like an audio holiday, Steal The Light shows that even after a decade in the game The Cat Empire have still got it.