Let Your Light Shine – Link & Chain (reviewed by Dave Franklin)

There are few guarantees in life. Unless you are just about to drop the needle on a new Link & Chain track, that is. Then, there are quite a few elements and aspects that you can expect as you set off on your latest sonic journey with them as your hosts. Firstly, positivity. No matter what subject they tackle, they always find a way to show the light in the dark, the silver lining, the sunshine after the rain (a particularly apt analogy for this single, but more of that later.) And the subjects are often deep, relevant and critical social concerns rather than the usual throwaway sentiments that are the norm in popular music.

Then you have the ease with which they can build sonic bridges. Bridges between reggae’s rich traditions and the need to keep the genre moving forward. Bridges between their culture and musical heritage and where the world is heading. Bridges between the die-hard followers of their chosen musical style and a wider audience. Bridges between the desire to entertain and the opportunity to inform anyone listening to their music of the realities of the world we find ourselves in today really works.

And that might seem a lot to fit into a four-and-a-quarter-minute song. It is. But they do. Of course, they do. It’s what they do. And do so brilliantly. Let Your Light Shine tells us to be ourselves, no matter what. It reminds us not to buckle to the demands of others to toe the line, fit in or live up to their expectations. But we all know that it is through people being themselves, living life according to their standards and ambitions, and following their dreams, that the world becomes a better place. The title says it all really, let that light shine, make the world a brighter place. For you. For everyone.

Not just a better place because people are happy, but because people striving to be better versions of themselves, expressing individuality, and being original, create chain reactions (or should that be Link & Chain reactions) infecting those around them and generally making everything brighter. Better. Beautiful. Such people change the world through creativity, empathy, tolerance, and through inspiring others. And that is the message here. You have one life to live. Live it to the full and live it your way. And while you are at it, make sure that you give everyone the space and support to live their own life how they see fit too.

Musically Link & Chain walks that line between freshness and familiarity. This is forward-thinking music but built on a platform of established traditions and styles. Now, I’m no Jamaican music expert. Still, even I can hear the whole musical history of the island passing through their music, from the confident roots reggae vibes to the skanking guitars of the ska music which preceded it and the sparser, more groove-orientated dancehall rhythms. It’s all there.

Such melodicism and finely tuned arrangements make Link & Chain the perfect ambassadors for reggae music and its associated forms. Rather than just playing to the converted, though the converted will find lots to love here, their music is accessible and infectious enough to go beyond the genres’ musical borders and find favour with music aficionados of all tastes and in all locations and of all ages.

Because that is what great music does, it moves beyond the comfort zones and the established audience and looks to connect with and convert those who might not be the usual target. And how can you not fall for its groovesome, positive, powerful and poignant charms?