USA chants usually make me nervous on some drunk, violent, these colors don't run, white dudes getting in fights during the singing of god bless amerika because the Yankees are getting blown out by the Angels type shit, but it sounds pretty pure over the thick and swift afrobeat sounds of Akoya. Plus they're speaking about the "U(nilateral) S(ystem) of A(ttack)(1)" here, so don't get it twisted a la Ronald Regan debasing "Born in the USA" because he and his handlers didn't bother listening to anything but the chorus. "Pelotera(2)" is a relentless instrumental tune that is running a marathon against itself from the first horn swells until the finish line. This sound really exemplifies Akoya's strength which is the ability to play very intricate arrangements without losing an ounce of vibe in the process. Nobody's showboating here, it's a team effort to get the full potential out of all 14 members of the band. And with the multinational Brooklyn-based Akoya crew overlapping with such groups as Chimp Beams, Dub Nomads, Chin Chin and Chico Mann, there's most definitely a lot of potential to be shared. My favorite tune on this record is "Star Wars(3)" which begins as a beautiful slow-burning spiritual and turns midway into that uptempo afrobeat heat. I think the reason this record sounds and feels so good to me is because Akoya successfully stays true to the foundation of the afrobeat sound while adding their own distinct flavor to the mix. Other revivalists have come and gone over the last decade, but expect this ensemble to be innovating while recreating for the long haul. USA, baby!

reviewed by Telekinetic Kat