If you’ve been following our publication at all for the last few years you may have noticed us mention the Vancouver Island based supergroup Illvis Freshly. Or, you may not have, so let’s introduce ’em.
Illvis Freshly combines all the best things about the music scene today, and throws them together in a genre defying blender. The group fuses together bangin’ beats, fiery rock guitar licks, seamless rap verses, and a group of folks who are just here to have fun and make music into a full on party. Originally, they were a “2 turntables and a microphone” type of ensemble, featuring a DJ (Mt Doyle), 2 MCs (Doc Zoo and Danimal House), a guitar player (Phillionaire), and one epic live show. In the recent future, the guys have expanded and added a drummer, bassist, second guitarist, and keyboard player to really round out their eight-piece, funk-infused extravaganza.
Their first album, Whatchu Know About Illvis, featured cuts that still get the crowd moving today, including On The Breaks, which has over half dozen remixes, still killing it every time, and Funk Like This, which was their first video single. That album shows their tenure with The Funkee Wadd as their man on the 1s and 2s, before Mt Doyle picked up the reigns in 2016 for their second album Illenials. This was the record that put them on the map with tunes like Burn It, featuring Victoria legend Caleb Hart, and Hold Em Up.
But this, this is easily their biggest and best record yet. Titled Certified Fresh, it’s certainly living up to it’s name. The first single, titled Bombshells, released early this week, and is the biggest indication of the progress the group has made since their debut. The production behind the tunes, courtesy of Doc Zoo himself, is next level. It always has been, but it’s clear that this has been a primary focus of the group, and it shows in spades. Factor in the epic sax and guitar break, and this was the perfect choice for a single.
Runaway Freight Train comes next, with a nearly frenetic energy emanating off of it, framed by Zoo and Danimal House’s lightning fast verses, making a perfect summer vibe. This moves seamlessly into the smooth, sexy sounds of She’s So Fine, a ballad as only Illvis can deliver. W a sophisticated, jazzy background paired with the groups hip hop influence, it’s R&B as you haven’t heard it before.
Good Girl follows, a classic Illvis tune full of fun guitar licks and tight rhymes from the boys, an essential backyard jam. Nearing the end of the album comes Get It On, opening with a fun flute riff that keeps it high energy the whole time. It even features some old school rap samples to keep it fresh, as they do. Closing out the album is Vibe Wit It, featuring an intro of the guys ordering pizza (a pretty regular occurrence in the life of Illvis). What comes next is a horn infused frenzy of hip hop and rock , proving why these guys are going STRAIGHT to the top. Stream the album below on Soundcloud, AND BUY THE ALBUM FROM ITUNES HERE!
We can’t stop gushing about these guys, and after hearing the album, we’re all pretty sure you will be too. This summer is a big one for the group, currently starting off their Certified Fresh tour to promote the new album. Their stops are taking them across Canada, and fests such as the Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest, Astral Harvest, and an event the locals are dubbing “FallTree” to replace Tall Tree Music Festival, called the Lakedown Shakedown.
2018 is going to be the year of Illvis, and you heard it here first.
What did you think of the album? Let us know in the comments!
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