The Movement has been making waves in the reggae-rock scene for 22 years and continues their journey with their ninth studio album, Visions. This energetic, lively, and captivating album features impressive collaborations and some of the group's strongest material to date. Josh Swain, Jason Schmidt, Gary Jackson, Matt Goodwin, and Kyle Jerome continue to evolve and challenge themselves creatively, showcasing strong songwriting that truly shines. While many groups reach their peak and stop growing, The Movement is still on a steady rise, both musically and in popularity.

This musical journey begins with “Wake Up,” which poses the philosophical question, “What are we here for?” The track delivers a sweet, relaxed vibe and conveys a beautiful message: “We’re here to learn, to cultivate, to develop, to wake up.” This smoothly transitions into “Putting Up 2,” maintaining the chill music and vibe. The song captures The Movement’s signature style, with Josh pouring his heart and soul into the verses.

Next, Tribal Seeds joins in on “Deep Blue Sea,” featuring a trap-infused groove that showcases a captivating bass and drumline. Steve Jacobo contributes a compelling verse, perfectly blending Tribal Seeds’ groove with The Movement’s style. While having both Steve and Tribal Seeds on this track is fantastic, it is Josh who truly dominates with his lyrical flow.

As soon as the title track, “Visions,” begins, you can instantly tell that Stick Figure is collaborating on this song. The chill vibe of Stick Figure blends seamlessly with the distinct sound of The Movement. It’s a perfect combination, as Josh and Scott Woodruff complement each other both rhythmically and lyrically. The music makes you feel like cruising down the street with the top down.

In “River Guide You,” we get an upbeat groove that conveys a positive message: embrace the flow of life and trust the natural course of events instead of resisting them. The song’s optimistic nature, combined with an Indian-influenced loop, enhances the feeling of surrendering to that flow. Josh switches up the cadence, elevating the song to another level.

“Nice & Slow,” featuring The Elovaters, delivers a breezy, beachy, and reflective tune. This slower, chill song invites listeners to take a step back and appreciate what they have and what life has to offer. Josh sings:

“Do you see the past and future only?
Struggle with the moment and fight to hold the memory
Of the fallacy of the old me.
Because, homie, this scene seems so lonely.
Gotta cool down. Yeah, we want to take it nice and slow.”

Jackson Wetherbee adds a laid-back and smooth verse that effortlessly floats over the sweet reggae groove.

We also get another outstanding collaboration with Nick Hexum of 311 on the track “So Cool.” This song is indeed cool! It features a sweet reggae rhythm with a slight 311 vibe, especially noticeable in the guitar at the end. The chorus, where Nick repeats Josh’s words, hits just perfectly.

The rootsy reggae vibe continues with “Make It Through,” creating a chill atmosphere. This song is perfect for when you’re missing that special someone; it will help you get through those tough times. The lyrics describe the longing beautifully:

“Every time I close my eyes, I see your face.
And every time I hear the wind blow, it speaks your name.
It feels like since you left, the sun never shines.
But I can still feel your loving heartbeat next to mine.
Yes, I know I will make it through.”

Next, we have one of my favorite tracks, “Promised Land.” With its laid-back vibe and uplifting message, this song resonates deeply. Josh delivers wonderful lyrics and finishes it off with a nice rap flow.

Then comes “Selene,” another easy-listening love song featuring beautiful Spanish-style guitar melodies. This track is guaranteed to put a big smile on your face as you groove to the sweet rhythm.

We have the vibey, summertime anthem “Live It Up,” featuring The Green and Caleb Keolanui. This song celebrates life, love, and the joys of summer. It’s another top track that will be on repeat throughout the season and beyond. The Hawaiian groove brought by The Green, along with Caleb’s fantastic verse, makes this song a must-listen.

“This Is Your Life” is a bass-heavy, reflective track that blends hip-hop and dancehall influences. It stands out as a unique song that may not typically fit the album’s overall theme, yet it surprisingly works well, featuring hypnotic strings and a Balkan brass sound.

We conclude this musical journey with Johnny Cosmic joining the group on the reflective and soulful track “Hand Grenade.” The song begins with gentle acoustics and Josh’s sweet vocals, then transitions into an explosive wave of sound and instruments, creating an exhilarating experience. It’s truly a distinctive sound and a lot of fun!

The Movement has released an amazing album that takes listeners on a breathtaking journey and serves a powerful purpose. As they continue to grow, they are quickly establishing themselves as one of the top reggae-rock bands. Their latest album, Visions, is an energetic, dynamic, and mesmerizing experience. The remarkable collaborations featured on the album add diverse sounds and demonstrate their growth as artists.

One Love – Todd M. Judd