After years of close to silence, Chronixx launched Exile, a 17-track album that feels to me like a time machine to the 70s. The album seamlessly blends roots reggae with jazzy soul textures, infusing heat and nostalgia whereas remaining true to the essence of Jamaican music. The primary hints of this route may already be heard years in the past in Majesty.
Produced by Inflo of Eternally Dwelling Originals (identified for SAULT, Michael Kiwanuka and Cleo Sol), Exile carries a really natural sound constructed on dwell devices, harmonies, and layered preparations. Launched on October 10, 2025, which additionally marks Chronixx’s thirty third birthday, it stands as his first full-length mission since Chronology in 2017.
Chronixx hasn’t been fully quiet throughout these years. In 2020, he appeared on Sa-Roc’s The Sharecropper’s Daughter with Darkish Horse, and later offered uncredited vocals on Daniel Caesar’s Unstoppable, Cleo Sol’s Purposeand Smino’s Tequan. Even with out credit, followers recognised his voice immediately, proof that he by no means actually left the dialog.
The album opens with Exile, setting the tone for what follows: reflective, soulful, and grounded in dwell musicianship. Whereas the following observe, Market looks like one thing straight out of the arms of Gil Scott-Heron meets Nick Cave’s Stagger Lee, topped off with Chronixx toasting over the basslines. Let’s stroll via a couple of of the songs that stood out for me.
Candy Argument and Survivor proceed a heat, natural, soulful, and virtually early disco route earlier than Household First kinda brings again the Chronixx we ‘used to know’. The observe remembers his earlier works and can doubtless be interpreted as a mirrored image on his quiet years away from the highlight. And possibly it’s.
I Know What You Feelin’ carries clear affect from The Wailers. It offers that Stir It Up feeling, clean and laid-back. It’s not likely my form of vibe, and by the point it ends, I’m nonetheless unsure I really discovered what the particular person was feeling 🙂
Saviour is one among my favourites as a result of it holds all the pieces I admire in reggae music: catchy lyrics, dubs, a driving bassline just like the mad mad/ailments riddim, and toasting; the complete bundle.
Maintain On Rising follows with a easy and uplifting message. It feels stripped of musical muddle, a sluggish meandering observe that brings ahead Chronixx’s voice in pure kind. Simply carry on rising!!
Hurricane and Genesis carry that very same religious tone, though these slower songs are usually not actually my jam. They circulate into Don’t Be Afraid, one other spotlight for me. It has an uptempo really feel with a depraved bassline, rimshots, harmonies and brass, holding a correct message we are able to all be taught from. Throughout his set at ReggaeLand UK, this observe was already teased to the UK large.
On I and I, Chronixx captures that timeless reggae sound we all know so properly from Bob Marley’s period. The observe hints at Jammin’ and provides off an genuine and acquainted heat that makes you are feeling proper at residence.
By no means Give Up, first launched in 2022 earlier than his hiatus, matches completely throughout the album’s reflective tone. Similar to Don’t Be Afraid, it carries the intention to elevate up the listener.
Ache In Your Coronary heart immediately made me wish to play it twice. It’s a soulful piece that takes you straight again to the golden days of soul, the form of observe you would think about enjoying underneath a scene in a kind of previous 70s films.
Resilient retains that very same emotional depth, main into Scheming, which at first looks like sunshine. From the opening drum beat, you think about your self strolling on a seaside hand in hand together with your love or strolling via your favorite metropolis. However the lyrics inform a unique story, warning about individuals who don’t imply properly and quietly plot their plans behind your again.
The album closes with Love Is on the Mountain, a tune that allows you to drift away. Chronixx, once more, retains it easy, pure, with what appears like simply guitar, percussion, bass and angelic harmonies. It’s an ode to like, a reminder that even in moments of despair, love is all the time there to be discovered, even when it’s not straightforward to succeed in.
Roots, Reflection and Revival
Though Chronixx sounds extra mature than once I first met him in 2013, he stays true to his Reggae Revival mindset. The rebellious power of his 2014 Dread & Horrible EP has advanced into calm energy and self-assurance.
As a 70s youngster who grew up with these sounds, this album faucets straight into my soul. I can’t assist however applaud this nice physique of labor. Exile exhibits that the essence of reggae music continues to be very a lot alive. It connects the spirit of the roots and soul period with at this time’s sound. Chronixx proves that true message music by no means fades. He could have been away, however his function stays clear.
Properly finished, Mr. Jamar McNaughton!
By Danny Creatah