The Cat Empire – Bird in Paradise – 2025

Bird in Paradise is the tenth album by Australian band The Cat Empire, a band I never heard before. At least not as I can remember. But, that being said, I’ve already listened to it four or five times back to back now. I really like the vibes and latin rhythms it brings. I usually like the latin style, even though I realize that there are loads of sub(latin)genres and that I can’t distinguish them all. It’s not a genre I’m comfortable with describing. I know far to little about ti to be able to sketch a picture of what I hear.

I took som helt from AI to be able to classify the genres included on Bird in Paradise, but I kinda gave up since I don’t really have a frame of reference to either of the suggested subgenres. So… here goes nothing. The kind of latin on this album is the kind that is almost impossible to sit still to. I find myself having a stupid smile across my face. I find myself snapping my fingers to the beat and I find myself swaying to that same rhythms. 

Yet, I doubt that I’ll ever be able to sing along with the melodies or the rhythms but this will most certainly not be the last time I listen to this and I also feel the urge to seek ou all the previous albums with The Cat Empire. As far as I understand it, the latin vibes is kind of Africa inspired. But as I said, I don’t really know what I’m talking about and I have nothing in my frame of reference that comes close to this eclectic album. 

Sorry… But check it out! I dare you!