Toast to our Differences – Rudimental Album Review

 

Track Listing

Toast to our Differences (feat. Shungudzo, Protoje & Hak Baker)
Let Me Live (feat. Anne-Marie & Mr Eazi)
Dark Clouds (feat. Jess Glynne & Chronixx)
Walk Alone (feat. Tom Walker)
Thula Ungakhlai (feat. Ladysmith Black Mambazo)
These Days (feat. Jess Glynne, Macklemore & Dan Caplen)
Sun Comes Up (feat. James Arthur)
1by1 (Feat. Raye & Maleek Berry)
Last Time (feat. Raphaella)
No Pain (feat. Maverick Sabre, Kojey Radical & Kabaka Pyramid)
Scared of Love (feat. RAY BLK & Stefflon Don)
Summer Love (feat. Rita Ora)
They Don’t Care About Us (Feat. Maverick Sabre & Yebba)
Do You Remember (feat. Kevin Garrett)
Leave it for Tomorrow (feat. Elli Ingram)
Adrenaline (Feat. Olivia)

 

 

Boasting a smattering of different artist collaborations, Rudimental return with their latest album, Toast to our Differences. If there was ever an album released at the wrong time of year, this is the perfect example. With plenty of feel-good tracks accompanied by pleasant and warming pop melodies, Toast to our Differences is an album geared much more toward sunbathing and basking in the sun rather than whittling away the cold, winter months.

While the album may not push boundaries or deliver anything beyond enjoyable pop and singer-songerwriter vibes, Toast to our Differences is quite the guilty pleasure nonetheless. Split across 16 tracks, Rudimental take us on a musical journey through a few different genres including Drum & Bass and Pop. All the while keeping their distinct sound and showing off a range of different instruments and tempoes throughout the album’s run time.

As you listen to the tightly produced sounds of Rudimental, Toast to our Differences really turns into a who’s who of guest stars. From Rita Ora and Jess Glynn through to James Arthur and Tom Walker, almost every song features several guest vocalists that flesh out the album and sprinkle some real star power through the run time.

When it comes to the lyrics though, there really isn’t anything particularly profound or meaningful enough to hit those emotional peaks. The catchy melodies and hooks for each song are enough to have you singing along after a few listens and those after a much more accessible, easy to digest slice of feel-good Rudimental are sure to be satisfied by this effort.

Although I personally felt the album was a tad too long and overstayed its welcome toward the end, there’s a decent amount of content nonetheless that keeps the album feeling fresh throughout. There’s a good variety here too and coupled with the plethora of guest stars, should be enough to keep you listening through to the end.