Kalan Wolfe & The Shift - "The Shift" - Album Review

Shane Laures
Jul 22, 2024
7 min read

Artist: Kalan Wolfe & The Shift

Album: The Shift (2023)

Genre: Reggae, Folk, Ska, Rock

Length: 9 Tracks

(40 Min 26 Sec)

Lyrical Content: 9/10

Conscious %: 10/10

Originality: 9/10

Personal Rating: 9/10

Tempo Range:

The album starts off with a fun little reggae jam called "Coastal Creature". This song is a reminder to make time to play and enjoy life.

This rock was made to climb on, These waves are here to surf. Grab a hand full of sunlight, A heart full of thanks. Lay back in the hot sand, Go where the sea takes you.

The Shift knows that nature is a playground for us to explore, and the chorus reminds us "life is but a dream when your floating down river". Don't take life too seriously, find your flow, and enjoy the ride.

The album's second track is a folk-driven tribute to Kalan's grandparents and their love of making music together, inspiring Kalan and his family.

I love my grandpa’s guitar, He is an inspiration, He went and set the bar.

Highlighting the importance of a close-knit family, and the magical power of music, this song is both a beautiful message, and an enjoyable tune to dance to.

Oh I love to hear their little voices echoing me, and learning what you sing is what you be

Music like this is exactly what the children need. Teaching both young and old that music can build a family, even if they're not related.

Some of us just see, that music can make a family, It holds us all together, Past and present future seeds

Track 3 "Freedom" takes the traditional military snare drum and brings a new light to what a patriotic freedom song stands for. The Shift brings out all the feelings and nostalgia associated with this type of music, yet makes it entirely their own.

We’ve come a long long way, We’ve got a long long way to go, With every step we take, We’ve got to hold on to that hope.

Calling out "We are the 7th generation" and "We are a one world nation", remind us that everything we do affects the next 7 generations to come, and that we are one on this Earth. Echoing "freedom for everyone", this song's simple yet profound message is sure to move you.

"You Do You" is a fast-paced blend of ska, rock and reggae, with a healthy dose of Kalan's own signature flair. Featuring a bouncy organ keyboard, driving drum beats, and a rocking guitar line, this song flows through tempo and style with grace. Lyrically pumping you up, Kalan reminds us "You are the one you’ve been waiting for".

So pick up that pencil, Click on the keys, Gotta dip that brush in the water, Run that pick over those strings, Gotta get back on that bike, Remember just to be what your already like Feel that wind rushing by and fly

This song has the highest energy of the album, and some of the most motivating lyrics out there. "You Do You" is guaranteed to get you up and moving!

You can take this face on, Keep your goal in focus, Another step in the marathon, and your mind on your target, And your heart on course, and your soul starts to see, That you’ve been here before and you’re all that you need.

Track 5, "It All Comes Back To Me" is another example of The Shift breaking the mold on genre. With an acoustic guitar, an upbeat piano, a catchy drum and bass line, and Kalan's unmistakable vocals the verse takes hold of you, flowing effortlessly into the chorus.

Lying in my room tryna’ think things through, I’ve got a feeling this time I’ll uncover the truth, I let my mind unfocus to the point of knowing, Slide along my consciousness and get things going, And it all comes back to me...

Keely and Bapa's backing vocals beautifully compliment Kalan's throughout the chorus. The second verse hits and begins exploring the social paradigm, and our way of life.

I want to see what’s hurting me and my family, This social programming, There’s got to be a better way to live our lives, Wading through fake news and executive lies, There’s a good chance that most of us just want to survive!

The verses continue, calling out fake news, the education system, our government, the rigged economy, and ecological destruction. Kalan's voice resonates with a feeling righteous anger stressing "it's about to get bumpy" and the importance of knowing how to be self-reliant.

How to build a shelter that will keep us dry What plants are edible, medicinal, and how to define them, Where water can be found and how to sanitize it, Got to learn the toxicology, and what can be used for epoxy Kids hang on to your moxy, cause it’s about to get bumpy

Although there is anger about the situation, it is not without hope, it is a rallying call.

We’ve been here before, we know how it’s done. Ancestral knowledge, in each and every one. And it all comes back to me...

The next track "We Are Men" touches deeply on social and cultural issues, while highlighting the sacred masculine.

We’ve got a situation, The kind of problem that needs solving, Involving lies told by the television, It seems to me, That many men in this present are hesitant to show emotional needs till they’re exploding

A powerful ballad, calling men to step into their masculinity in a healthy and responsible way, this song has the potential to make massive waves in the collective consciousness.

We are men, We must listen to children, Show respect to women, Let our voices be bridges, We are men, Trust your heart intuition, We are privileged persons, Let our words carry wisdom

As the chorus calls for men to rise up in a heart-centered space, the verses tell us of the struggles we face. Kalan conveys the message with conviction and awareness.

There is a sense of justice which exists in all of us, Peace and action lie in a delicate balance

The song is carried along by au calm and beautiful backing track, highlighting the vocals as they flow like poetry.

Past disasters grip the mast of this sinking ship which is our trauma, Let it sink into that swirling whirlpool of awareness, When we can see eye to eye, You’ll be surprised at what arises, Stop thrashing and float or just get back on your boat, Beautiful moments unfold when we let go of control

As the song continues, Kalan gives more examples of the divine masculine with a sensitive grace rarely found in modern music.

However masculinity fits into your identity, Let it be caretaker and nurturing provider, Space holder and peacemaker, Find strength in diversity, because unity ends controversy

The album continues with "Gratitude", an upbeat folky jam driven by an acoustic guitar and drums, singing thanks to the Earth and life. This song is an excellent reminder to be grateful.

We give thanks for our simple wonderful life, For our friends and the food, and the gift of the pipe, For the greatness of the Universe, for the love that glows in our hearts, We give thanks.

The music is fun and engaging, while the lyrics elegantly paint a scene that emanates a pure and simple message.

I feel the pulse of the Earth in my bloodstream, The stones of the Earth are my bones, The thrum of the insects awakens my senses, With each birth our consciousness grows

It is impossible to not feel gratitude for this gift of music as The Shift continues to sing of giving thanks. The vibrancy and love that these musicians have shines through their work, and this song spotlights the key behind it.

We give thanks for our spirits, Which ride our bodies like a horse on the planes, For our ancestors, For creation, And all that is left unsaid.

Track 8, "Make It Out Alive" is a song that showcases The Shift's ability to blend genres seamlessly—mixing a penny whistle, piano, guitar, bagpipes, and a complex drum line, sharing influences of rock, reggae, and traditional Irish music.

Come along down this road of unknowing, If there’s an end then I don’t know how far it is. And it matters not how fast we are going, If we follow our feet and just begin.

The song starts out with a steady march as Kalan invites us on this journey, but quickly evolves into a high energy dance of life as the chorus arrives, while playfully reminding us that none of us escape death at the end of this journey.

We're all on this road together, Singing songs and taking our time, Some will walk, and some will ride, But none of us will make it out alive.

After a short little ditty on the penny whistle, the verses continue filled with loving reminders and uplifting ideals.

I’ve got your back if you’ve got mine sister, We can build this bridge together if we try.

As the song continues, we get a catchy breakdown of bagpipes, drums, and keys to dance to. This song also features guest vocalist Mark Murphy of Wookiefoot bringing us even more lyrical insights.

Enough of this suffering, Loving our wondering, Let go of fear and we find out why, We go back to nothing so beautifully puzzling, Just celebrate on the day I die.

If you haven't started moving to the music by the time Mark's verse ends, the bridge to this song is guaranteed to at least get you bobbing your head.

I won’t judge you for what you think brother, But for the kindness you would show a stranger, And if we put our time and effort, We could make the world a little better.

Even though the theme of this song is death, it is anything but dark or morbid - It is full of life and love. The energy that comes through this song as it crescendos is undeniable.

Closing out the album is "Feelin' The Shift", another highly danceable reggae jam with a simple end of the show vibe.

It’s the hum in the air, and the fire in your heart, Grooving to the rhythm, straight from the start, But there is no music, when there is no crowd. So give it up for yourselves while we turn it up loud!

This song is all about the giving and receiving energy of a show. "Feeling the shift, We're feeling alright" is a great way to describe how one might feel after listening to this album.

Movin and groovin’ and vibin’ to the music we’re providin’ You’re feelin’ all these tunes that we been singing, Hey, we’ve been The Shift, it’s been a pleasure for us to play, But now we’ve got to go, although we’d really love to stay

While not the most exciting or lyrically meaningful song on the album, this simple little tune closes out the album quite nicely. Overall this album is definitely worth a listen. You are sure to find some new favorites.

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