After releasing their critically acclaimed self titled debut in 2005, Sydney’s own Kid Confucius are back with their blend of funk, soul and hip hop. Known for being a premier live outfit, Rob Hezkial, MC PreFab (aka Andrew Guirguis), Bart Denaro, James Branson, Ray Wassef, Nathan Murray, Dan Cilia, Mike Lion and James Mackenzie Blaxland return with their sophomore album ‘Stripes’, and show that they can just as easily lay down their sounds in the studio.

On first listening to this album, you can’t help but feel like you’ve stepped into old school Detroit motown. Harking back to the sounds of the 70s, Kid Confucius attempt to buck the trend of Australian hip hop by adding elements of funk and soul to their repertoire. The opening track ‘1977 [Part 1]’ is a throwback to the beats and vocal stylings of that bygone era. ‘Let Another Day Go By’ has a sunny, summer sort of feel, like you’re lazing by the pool. Rob Hezkial even sounds like he’s channelling Seal from his ‘Crazy’ days. ‘Moment’ sees the group go for a grittier, heavier beat, which showcases more of their guitars and percussion, in an almost Maroon 5-esque number. ‘Sky is the Limit’ shows MC PreFab can hold his own, with Hezkial taking the vocal supporting role. On ‘Last Straw’, they employ the clap beat heard mainly in gospel style music, while ‘Closer’ sounds eerily like the Snoop Dogg/Justin Timberlake track ‘Signs’.

By the time we hit ‘Closer’, something is apparent. I guess you could describe Kid Confucius as musical chameleons. Able to rework their sound so effortlessly that in the space of five songs, you’re reminded of that many different artists. One could argue that they lack consistency, and I agree to an extent. But the thing that makes them different is that despite experimenting with all these different styles, they still bring an undeniable energy and love of the music they are doing. Hezkial’s vocals flow smoothly over the funk laden beats, and he is to be commended that he is able to stand out against the cacophony of instruments their sound relies on. Other standout tracks include the slower ‘August’, the funky ‘All The Way Down’, ‘Back to You’, and ‘Better Be On Soon’. Rounding out the disc is ‘1977 [Part 2]’, concluding the funky sojourn into the 70’s.

All in all, a very rewarding listen. I had my doubts they would be able to do it again, but Kid Confucius have shown that they are one of the country’s most promising talents, both in and out of the studio.