Chronixx has been gone from music, for almost a decade.
The Exile album though, makes that absence seem worth it. Without further ado, let’s get into it!
1) Exile
Cool, calm and easy is how Exile starts and is best decribed. Chronixx’s vocals are super soft. Almost as if he’s talking/singing to himself.
It literally feels like he is performing from a place of exile.
Removed from the norm but yet secure and firm in the knowledge that things will turn around for the better, in time to come.
The rhythm of the track is steady and quietly upbeat, again reinforcing the fact that although things may be less than ideal now, any difficulty is definitely only temporary.
2) Market
Is super funky and extremely relatable for a certain section of Caribbean society. The market is like a hub and a meeting point, where local produce can be purchased.
The production of the song matches the song title, fully of subtance and simplicity. Going to the market with your significant other is one of the most normal things you can do. By touching on this topic, Chronixx puts his finger right on the pulse of everyday life and the reality many.
The song also speaks to Ital/Vegan living. Chronixx uses this hub of Caribbean life to skillfully address different aspects of Caribbean life with this one song. That is, the cost of living, the dynamics of gender relations, Reggae Legends, Marijuana, organic food, free food etc etc. Importantly, the production is such that it feels like we the people, are sitting in on a live performance from Chronixx, as this song plays.
3) Sweet Argument
Moving on from the Market. Chronixx abruptly takes us from there to Lover’s Rock Heaven. Chronixx goes straight into full blown love mode as he takes us to a place that only Lover’s Rock can take us. Sweet Reggae romance, from days long gone by, is where we, through this song, find ourselves.
Even more than taking us through a drastic change of location, the public place of the market, with scores of people around. To a place colored by precious privacy and the intimacy shared by only two people. Chronixx also transports us back through time, from 2025, to several decades ago. Chronixx is definitely in his bag and undoubtedly, the Reggae World is more than happy for his return!!!!
From Sweet Argument to Survivor.
4) Survivor
We all get woken up from the bliss of sweet love, to the harsh reality of survival. One of the main themes of the song is a call for us all to focus more on morality, living right and having just principles and less, on receiving outside validation.
Doing this steadily, day by the day is what surviving is. The song is also a funky one that transports us back to time, decades ago. Nostalgia, holding on to one’s roots and a rejection of “new glitter” is what this song speaks to. Both directly and indirectly.
The song ends with the word survivor being repeated as though survival is being manifested through power of affirmation. Very deep stuff from Chronixx on this track.
5) Family First
With this song, Chronixx low key is addressing one of the most pivotal aspects of Caribbean life. Arguably, how Caribbean families fare, is the best indicator of how Caribbean people in general are doing.
Chronixx’s example and advice of, putting family first is accurate and a message that Caribbean people desperately need to adher to. The song is laid back and features Chronixx addressing different family members: eg brother, sister, uncle etc.
The context of the song is Chronixx’s family. So the harsh realities, or the danger that threatens society when the structure of family is destroyed, is left unaddressed. Nevertheless, the main message of the song is an important one.
This Album From Chronixx, Has No Skips.
6) I Know What You’re Feeling.
Chronixx toggles back to Reggae Romance with this song. Which is an intimate affirmation, perhaps designed to remove the need for talking. Instead freeing a couple up from having to talk so that they can instead just enjoy the comfort and security of each other’s company. Perhaps, by simply slow dancing to this song. The song is simple and straightforward yet undoubtely effective at making the listener feel at peace and calm.
7) Saviour
In this song, Chronixx address the hypocrisy of his fellow human beings that proclaim their ability to save. With Chronixx asking them, if you are going to save us, who is going to save you. The song goes on to argue that hypocrisy only ends badly for those that employ it. Instead asserting that there is only one Saviour, that we all are subject to.
8) Keep On Rising To The Top.
Is Reggae motivation and inspiration for all going through “the struggle”. The song bids the listener to “keep on” and to level up, using the burning fire (of passion and desire presumably) that lies within, to persevere.
The tone and feel of the song is romantic. However, much like a different song (Awake) and album (Bianca by Bia) that we recently reviewed, it is the struggle that is romanticized here. This is precisely the kind of music that the world needs in 2025, to be able to keep on keeping on.
9) Hurricane
Vocally, Hurricane, is sweeter than sugar cane. This is poetry and art in motion from Chronixx. The song feels like a love song, perhaps of faith. “In the eye of the Hurricane…I am a witness of your quickness to rescue me”. Extremely intimate. Through this song Chronixx shares the ironic peace that can be found, whilst in the middle of chaos or a hurricane. The melodic vocals of this song, successfully convey the peace and completeness that comes from having a deep and authentic faith.
10) Genesis
True love. Genesis is the song of someone that has found true love and therefore everything: peace etc etc. The song feels extremely intimate. Like Chronixx is singing the song to his lover. An expression of love in real time that we all experience vicariously, through this song.
The song again sounds like we are listening to a live performance. It is a mood, a feeling, it is alive, living, breathing love. Extremely therapeutic, healthy and healing. With this track, Chronixx has successfully captured love in his art and put it out for the world to partake in. As sharing, (sometimes) is indeed caring. This track would do so well, in the right movie.
11) Don’t Be Afraid
This song is food, nutrition, strength, for people of faith. It is a reminder of the fact that the greatest enemy in life is ourselves and that once we are avoid self sabotaging ourselves, we for the most part have nothing to worry about.
This is pure, rhythmic, Reggae.
Chronixx In A Class Of His Own.
12) I And I
Chronixx directly affirms the importance and value that he places on having his faith. Through and because of faith, Chronixx affirms that he will never be alone. That love is a permanent companion and that faith connects to a higher power that provides clarity on what the way forward is.
13) Never Give Up
Perhaps the three most powerful words after, I love you. A positive, rhythmic tune, that exhorts one to never give up in classic Reggae fashion. This song is for everyday people struggling to impose their will on life. It is a song for the common man and woman. Which makes it relevant to practically the masses i.e. most of humanity. The song also is a champion of classic Reggae music. Whilst, newer Reggae artists like the exceptionally talented, Lila Iké, experiments with taking the sound of Reggae, where it’s never been.
Chronixx by contrast, has his two feet firmly entrenched in traditional Reggae territory. Importantly, we all have to remember that neither one approach is right or wrong. Instead, every artist has a right to express their artistic truth. Finally, we are exceedingly blessed to have both of these talents simultaneously. Which means we are able to pick and choose from both as we see fit. Put a different way, we are getting spoilt for choice with great Reggae Music right now.
14) Pain In Your Heart
Is really, real. Anyone out here in these Caribbean streets can see there are a lot of hurt people out there. Maybe, especially hurt women. Singing about such a relevant topic is always a good idea. Acknowleding someone else’s pain is a great way of letting them know that they are visible, seen and important.
Applying some Reggae remedy to the pain of some of the brokenhearted is arguably, why Reggae Music exists. Well done Chronixx.
15) Resilient
Is a super deep song. With that one word/theme, Chronixx is talking about a bunch of things at once. The resilence of humanity, of faith, of heterosexual love. It is kind of mind blowing to have consumed the majority of music that has been put out. Only to then come and consume this Exile Album from Chronixx. It’s like spending your life in a fast, materialistic world and then having Chronixx come along and turn on the light.
One of the first reactions is joy and satisfaction. Another main reaction is one of shock with how this music, contrasts with that. This is real music. A music that uplifts humanity and makes living, easier and makes courage, easier. Chronixx deserves a Grammy and then some.
16) Schemers
Is a very counter intuitive song, it starts off feeling like a Lover’s Rock song. However, the lyrical content and theme of the song is all about betrayal and treachery. Perhaps, the underlying message that Chronixx is sending, given the contrast, is that when you live a life motivated by love, you will find love abundantly in your life despite any treachery.
Another message that Chronixx may be sending, is for folks to maintain the high ground. To love their enemies and love unconditionally. Despite any schemers, is perhaps the underlying message that Chronixx is sending us through this song.
17) Love Is On The Mountain
Faith has been one of the recurrung themes of Chronixx’s Exile album but low key, so has love. The song is a call to remember that love is what life is really all about. Difficulty may arise, but the song was made to remind folks that any difficulty is temporary. Moreover in addition to this, on the other side of temporary difficulty, awaits permanent love (on the mountain). The mountain that Chronixx sings of, probably symbolises Heaven or the afterlife. In other words, on the other side of adversity or difficulty, awaits permanent love.
With this Exile Album, Chronixx is addressing deep and fundamental issues facing humanity. Like faith, love, family, the struggle etc etc. His primary means of broaching these topic is Pure Reggae. Suffice to say that Chronixx is on Bob Marley territory here, by seeking to address the pain of humanity. The album is either a nine or ten out of ten and it definitely deserves Grammy consideration once it is eligible!!!
