Australian indie mainstay The Cat Empire are back with their highly anticipated 10th studio album! Known for their infectious blend of jazz, ska, funk, and rock, new release Bird in Paradise delivers the same vibrant energy and genre-defying sound that has made them a fan favourite for over two decades.
Bird in Paradise follows on the heels of 2023’s Where The Angels Fall, the first album to feature the current line up. That line up shift marked a new chapter for the band, with the fan base trusting the new members to fill some very big shoes. Founding members Felix Riebl and Ollie McGill—the driving forces behind the current incarnation of The Cat Empire—have crafted Bird in Paradise as both a fresh start and a testament to the band’s enduring spirit. It’s a reminder that, despite change, they remain the ultimate party-starters, delivering the vibrant, genre-blending sound that has kept fans coming back for decades.
From the very first notes of the title track, “Bird in Paradise”, I was transported to a sun-drenched island, the promise of an icy margarita just within reach. The song bursts with a delightful mariachi zest, setting an upbeat, celebratory tone that carries throughout the track, instantly lifting the mood and inviting listeners in.
Just when you think you’ve settled into the album’s groove, “Blood on the Stage” shifts gears entirely. This track delivers a raw, impassioned tale of tortured passion, led by gutsy, personality-filled male vocals. The real highlight, however, is the chorus of deep, commanding male voices that add an extra layer of richness and drama, evoking the smoky ambiance of an old-school jazz bar, complete with a soaring trumpet section.
Like a fast-paced rally on centre court at the Australian Open, the album moves swiftly between styles. The next track swings back to flamenco-infused balladry, a motif that recurs throughout the record. Several songs are performed in Spanish—an authentic touch that enhances the album’s global flair. However, longtime fans who crave Felix Riebl’s distinctive vocals may find themselves a little restless during these moments. While the Latin influence is engaging, that usually unmistakable Cat Empire flair isn’t always strong enough to make these tracks immediately recognisable as one of theirs.
A high-point of the album is the track “Doing Fine”, a snappy flamenco-style song that sets a great pace with sweeping strings, amazing trumpets and punchy rhythms. The song captures the feeling of restlessness that we’ve all experienced at least once in your life, when you feel like there is something more exciting just out of your grasp.
The album rounds out with the song “Blackout Blues” and it is signature-style greatness. It combines the earthy tones of a born storyteller whose signature of drawing a picture for listeners. I saw the stump and the blacked out sun in my mind’s eye!
Known for their signature fusion of jazz, ska, reggae, and Latin rhythms—all wrapped in a broad Aussie accent—The Cat Empire leans into flamenco-heavy territory with this album. And it certainly pays off. Looks like the cat (Empire) swallowed the canary with this one!
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
The Cat Empire’s Bird in Paradise is out 21st March 2025. Pre-save/pre-order it HERE.
