Reece Mastin’s Change Colours: Rock’n’Roll And The Freedom To Be – CD Review

Social Family Records Reece Mastin’s third studio album makes you want to spend the afternoon with the guy having a coffee (or beer) and a chat. At the ripe age of 20 this recording veteran has literally grown up in front of Australia; if I was his parent, I couldn’t be prouder. Change Colours is full of honesty, growth and determination, which was a missing factor in his earlier music. Mastin has broken the shackles of his X-Factor success, changed labels and now has the artistic freedom to express himself and be artist that he has always wanted to be, which is evident in this new album. Change Colours is very ‘80s-esque rock‘n’roll which is full of all the usual love, break up, stand up inspired tunes that ignite pure energy and passion. The brutal honesty and being comfortable in his own skin is really felt throughout. With songs such as I Don’t Love You Anymore, You Gotta Go and For You as anthems that you could imagine being screamed out at concerts, this album has a bit of everything. Opening single Even Angels Cry is an inspiring yet honest look at the world and the pre-emptive labels forced upon people. Down To Earth is a lyrically emotive and pleasantly poignant song about losing someone, knowing they are making the wrong choices but being unable to stop them. The title track Change Colours is the bleakest yet strangely uplifting song on the album. Click HERE to watch Even Angels Cry (Official Lyric Video) Lyrically, his songs are sincere, candid and progressive accompanied by some solid melodies and pure classic rock. This album is one of those that you could listen to over and over again; the significance of the lyrics will take you back to that certain time and place. It wouldn’t be a far reach to imagine this album coming out of the LA music scene and being played at the Cathouse and Whisky A Go Go. Change Colours was recorded at Freight Train Studios and Jimmy Barnes can be heard singing backing vocals in You Gotta Go. Other collaborators include Chris Cheney, Mark “Diesel” Lizotte, Michael Paynter, Ben Rodgers, Mahalia Barnes and many more. Even with the many collaborators, Mastin has held his own and stayed true to himself. Mastin has not taken the easy ride into the Australian music scene, and has fought hard to get where he is today. He proves how determination, hard work and honesty is the only true way to be successful in this cut throat industry. This album is the start of the next phase in singer/songwriter's musical career, and it’s going to be an exciting ride. His collaborations, well earned respect and loyalty to some of Australia’s most successful artists, including Australian Rock Royalty, has escalated Mastin to be one of their well deserving heirs. The ‘Age of Reece Mastin’ has begun. Amanda Bennett