Babe Rainbow
Slipper imp and shakaerator
p(doom) Records [2025]
“Coastal psych with a cosmic twist—low stakes, high charm.”
Album Overview: Formed by childhood friends Angus Dowling, Jack “Cool-Breeze” Crowther, and Dr. Elliot “Love Wisdom” O’Reilly, Babe Rainbow emerged from the coastal scenes of Rainbow Bay and Byron Bay, Australia. Rooted in open-air jams, natural surroundings, and a shared love for vintage psychedelic compilations, the group first gained traction with help from early supporters like King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. Their debut EP dropped in 2015, followed by a self-titled LP in 2017. Over time, the band’s circle expanded, drawing in global collaborators and insights from the road. But despite their travels, Babe Rainbow has always stayed grounded in the spiritual weirdness of their beachside beginnings.
Slipper Imp and shakaerator marks a return to that original chemistry. Crafted mostly by the founding trio with minimal outside input, the album pulls inward. Unlike previous releases that leaned on guest musicians and worldly textures, this one was built in a repurposed warehouse on an old banana farm—a setting that mirrors their laid-back, organic roots. The result is a more instinct-driven collection that feels closer in spirit to their early work, with a looser, more lived-in feel.
Musical Style: The album drifts through dub, folk-rock, synth-laced pop, and jazz-tinged funk. Rather than polish every edge, the band embraces space in the arrangements, letting each idea unfold at its own pace. There’s a steady focus on groove without becoming rigid—balancing repetition with unexpected twists. Instruments like flute, subtle electronics, and offbeat harmonies flow in naturally, giving the songs a curious charm that doesn’t clamor for attention but grows on you over time.
Evolution of Sound: Compared to their slightly unnoticed last record, 2022’s The Organic Band which leaned heavily on communal energy and spontaneous collaborations, Slipper Imp and shakaerator is more intimate and focused. It’s the first project since their debut EP to rely so fully on the instincts of just the core trio. Though their sound has expanded through years of travel and experimentation, this album feels like a conscious return to the foundation—grooves formed in relaxed rehearsal sessions, ideas passed casually between friends, and the easy joy of creating without overthinking.
Artists with Similar Fire: Fans of Mild High Club, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, and early Tame Impala will find a familiar warmth here. There are also echoes of Khruangbin’s rhythmic ease and the loose experimental vibe of Broadcast or The Beta Band. The sound favors mood and pulse over technical flash, often landing somewhere between beach-day chill and cosmic oddity.
Pivotal Tracks: “What Is Ashwagandha” opens the album with winding guitar lines and rhythmic shifts that feel half improvised, half entranced. “Long Live the Wilderness” delivers sunny energy, like a cocktail in hand on a perfect day. “Like Cleopatra” is a soft-spoken standout, with bright melodies and a tight rhythm that hints at hidden pop instincts. “When the Milk Flows” adds a rawer edge, bringing tighter phrasing and heavier tones. “Mt Dub” is the boldest move—anchored by deep bass and a feature from King Gizzard’s Stu Mackenzie, it stretches the band’s sonic boundaries. On the other end of the spectrum, “Apollonia” and “Now and Zen” embrace minimalism, offering stripped-back takes that show the band’s versatility when keeping things simple.
Lyrical Strength: Babe Rainbow’s lyrics rarely tell straight stories. Instead, they lean on fragments, dreamlike images, and mantra-like phrases. On this album, the words match the music—earthy, open-ended, and rooted in feeling more than message. There’s a strong sense of place, with nods to nature and everyday oddities filtered through a surreal lens. Rather than spelling things out, the lyrics invite listeners to fill in the gaps, adding another layer of atmosphere.
Final Groove: Slipper Imp and shakaerator feels like a recalibration for Babe Rainbow. While it doesn’t reinvent their sound, it thoughtfully refines it—trading sprawling collaborations for something more intimate and instinctive. It won’t shake the earth, but it does offer an easy, rewarding listen for those tuned into the band’s wavelength. Not every track lands with equal impact, but there’s charm in its looseness and a welcome return to the roots that made their early work resonate. If this marks the beginning of a new chapter, it’s a promising one—less about spectacle and more about sustained, slow-burning connection.
BABE RAINBOW REVIEW HISTORY
Double Rainbow (2018)
BABE RAINBOW LINKS
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