Everyone's Watching Ezra Collective: ‘Dance, No One’s Watching’ Album Review

A band that has an exceptional understanding of how to get listeners grooving all through their uniquely eclectic take on modern Jazz, Ezra Collective continue to power forward placing themselves at the forefront of all conversations. The highly coveted album ‘Where I’m Meant to Be’ in 2022 saw the band return back to North London with the prestigious Mercury Prize, leading them to sell out tours worldwide and labeled as Time Out’s Londoner of 2023, have maintained their upwards trajectory with the release of their sophomore album - ‘Dance, No One’s Watching’.

 The opening track in ‘The Intro’, entices listeners in, it is a song with background noise of people conversing, conveying the concept that this is an album to listen, enjoy, and engage with others whilst doing so, before steering into the main body of the album. Enter next, ‘The Herald’ and ‘Palm Wine’, with the former a piano driven melody with a succinct beat and smooth trumpet tones, and the latter a laidback strings entrance developing to a grooving brass section. 

Continuing on the journey that the band have mapped out in ‘Dance, No One’s Watching’ comes the already released single ‘God Gave Me Feet For Dancing’ ft. Yazmin Lacey, a melancholic, yet euphoric release. A pure feel good track, and a reminder that even though Summer is over, Ezra Collective will still bring those sunshine settings regardless. The calming tones of the start of the album are then thrown out of the studio window with the assistance of Femi’s monologue into ‘Ajala’, a high tempo, high energy anthem. It’s bursting with life, and does exactly what this band do so well, energises you irrespective of the current circumstances in the modern world. A powerful tool that only certain players in the music industry possess.   

As the album rolls through the motions in ‘The Traveller’ and ‘N29’, calming the senses once again, the body of work leans into a beautiful collaboration with Olivia Dean in ‘No One’s Watching’ with her silky smooth tones leading the way, working in tandem with the bands melodic guile infusing the exceptional link up. Making a name for themselves for lighting up crowds with their energy, ‘Hear My Cry’ leads next, a song already well known by anyone who’s attended an Ezra Collective life show, which sees Ife and James living their best life amongst everyone. 

Showcasing their true Jazz roots in style, ‘Shaking Body’ and ‘Expensive’ deliver an homage to the group’s musical heritage, whilst also adequately reminding everyone once more just how good they all are when it comes to playing music. ‘Streets is Calling’ feat M.anifest & Moonchild Sanelly shows a more Hip-Hop fuelled concept, with the album then coming to a close with messages that deliver the essence of what they are all about. ‘Why I Smile’, and ‘Have Patience’ both prove relevance to everyday life, to then close the album in ‘Everybody’ implementing the ideologies that have brought this band to where they are now, their incredible ability to bring all closer together through the medium of music. 

The selections of features with some of the best Soul and Jazz talent’s currently to offer, infused with the masterminds of their respective instruments from Ezra, the project is simply exceptional from start to finish. The album takes its turn to showcase individually and collectively how incredibly talented this group are, and a pleasure to see them develop stronger through every move. ‘Dance, No One’s Watching’ encapsulates the band’s entire ethos, it is driven by fun, maintained by a consistent solid groove, whilst ensuring at the epicentre of all of it, a unique experience allowing everyone from all walks of life to enjoy the moment. In the words of Femi: “EZ TO THE WORLD”.

Listen to 'Dance, No One's Watching' below: