Easy Star Records

If Dub Side of the Moon is the only Easy Star material you’re familiar with, First Light will seem very different. Traditional melodic reggae and dub are scattered throughout the album, but are by no means a constant. “Easy Now Star” and “Paid My Dues” explore the band’s reggae mastery and “One Likkle Draw” draws deep into old-school influences with Prince Buster-esque lyrics to boot: “One likkle draw from my chalice is all that you need before you take my herbs from me, Mr. Officer.” On the down side, “I Won’t Stop” and “All the Way” are overwhelmingly poppy, while “In the Light” and “Break of Dawn” venture into some kind of awkward R&B/reggae mix. Why mess with success when you’ve already struck gold?