It’s been forty years since their last LP, but Creation Rebel hasn’t missed a step. The band, which still includes reggae icons Crucial Tony (guitar), Eskimo Fox (drums), and Mr. Magoo (percussion), originally formed to support the titan Prince Far-I during Far-I’s later period wherein he let traditional reggae sounds be morphed, warped, and pulled into the future-era by UK’s Adrian Sherwood. Since the passing of Far-I, Creation Rebel has been its own unit, often collaborating with Sherwood and other people, all while cranking out super heavy, oft-experimental, usually future-reggae and dub.

Hostile Environment is Creation Rebel doing what Creation Rebel does best. The mostly instrumental album features the trio rumbling out catchy, energetic reggae that remains that inimitable Jamaican style heaviness. Perhaps surprisingly, most of these tracks are down right commercial. Most tunes run about three to five minutes and find the group experimenting with the spartan. “Stonebridge Warrior” and “Crown Hill Road” are snappy, simple rhythms that allow a melodica to drift over the top and create a dreamlike atmosphere.

Though, the band does reach into the future decades, which is where they are often at their best. The synth-buzz of “That’s more like it” (a true highlight) sounds like some sinister machine waking up in the far future and could easily have been slipped into a Bladerunner scene.

It’s also fun to hear new and longtime collaborators show up. Prince Far-I himself shows up on the first track via Wu-Tang style vocal repurposing. I also really liked hear sax legend Dean Frasier show up on a couple of tunes, sounding as smooth as ever.

Reggae, even now, is often a sort of traditionalist form with certain rules. Meanwhile, Sherwood has made it a point to deconstruct genre and see how far he can push elements before the essence drops out. Creation Rebel, especially on their new album, have a foot in both worlds which is why the music doesn’t sound throwback or avant- it sounds timeless. And it’s catchy.