The Elovators – Shark Belly Motel

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Black News

Jun 14, 2026 - 10:04

The Elovators – Shark Belly Motel

Release Info

Label
Ineffable Records
Format
DR / LP / CD
Street date
May 2026
Contact
FB The Elovators

Tracklist

1. Air Tonight
2. Bills To Pay
3. Sunburn
4. Tommy Bahama
5. Jean Jacket
6. Wickedest Style
7. Pockets Full Of Sand ft. Bryce Vine
8. Wrong Idea
9. Leave The Light On
10. Sky High ft. Dirty Heads
11. Good Old Days
12. Staring At The Sun
13. Children On The Run ft. DENM
14. Cut Em Loose
15. Sandy Roads
16. Water Under The Bridge
17. Makes No Sense
18. Borderline

Formed in 2014 and busting out on to the US Roots and Reggae scene in 2018 with Defy Gravity, a Number One album on the Billboard charts, six piece outfit The Elevators have a lovely, mellow rock-flavoured reggae sound on this, their fifth studio album – think of Sublime, Stick Figure and the Cali reggae approach, hints of UB40, a tinge of Maxi Priest, touches of California soft rock, and maybe some lover’s rock covers of soul songs. In frontman Jackson Wetherbee they have a vocalist just perfect for this approach, and the songs appeal far wider than a traditional reggae audience – try tracks like Jean Jacket, or Wickedest Style for some smooth international reggae (though the roots are still there).

There are eighteen tracks here – just two are not what I would describe as reggae tracks, though even those are not that far away. Bryce Vine guests on the incredibly catchy Pockets Full Of Sand with a Caribbean-themed rap that fits perfectly, Jared Watson of California band Dirty Heads turns up on Sky High, and Children On The Run also features DENM. Leave The Light On has perhaps the most “traditional” reggae arrangement here – mainly just a rhythm behind a soulful vocal, and ethereal backing vocals – before the guitar solo takes over – whilst Staring At The Sun has the album’s toughest sound, with a fine roots-rock-reggae rhythm. The subtle dub effects and the closing ska section on Cut Em Loose are also nice touches.

But really though, that is just pointing out a few things that struck me as the album progresses. If you enjoy the sound of modern US reggae rock, then this is definitely for you. The Elovators do it so well.

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