Recently, in an interview with 99JAMZ in South Florida, Konshens was asked why he named his new album Pool Party. “Because it’s HOT!” he said, adding, “Not just in terms of the temperature, but the climate around the world. Everything is so negative and aggressive, dark and serious. Yo, let’s have a party. I don’t want to focus on, you know, music reflecting what’s going on—I don’t want to do that right now. Let’s just take a break.”

Working with producers Izybeats, BomboCat from Costa Rica, Markhize, Track Starr, and Hitmaka (who collaborated on the track with Eric Bellinger), Konshens created not just a summer album, but a party album for the near future—an album for therapy. This project was two years in the making.

“Mi start work pon dis album two years ago. It’s been on and off. It’s been done like four different times, but I never quite felt it was really ready. One day, the title just came to me. The world is upside down right now, it’s a whole lotta bullshit. War, natural disaster, and all kinda ting. I didn’t want to do an album that reflected the current state that we’re in. I wanted to do an album that is the opposite. I didn’t want to do an album that people remembered [alongside] wildfires in California or an Israel-Iran war. That’s why I took an approach of, let’s party,” Konshens explained.

Pool Party is a bold, infectious celebration of freedom, resilience, and the evolution of Jamaican music.

The album starts with “Our Father,” a spiritual and emotional introduction. While not in party mode, this hauntingly honest plea sets a reflective tone before diving into tracks that sizzle with vigor and brashness. The sweet beat and riddim complement Konshens’ flowing delivery.

“Money Dealings” follows with a strong beat and a deep, somber message. The bass, riddim, and Konshens’ lyrical flow create a hip-hop/dancehall vibe. Skillibeng joins Konshens on “Bend,” an anthem with dance instructions. This gritty, bass-heavy banger bridges old-school deejay energy with modern swagger, connecting two generations.

“Back Dat Azz Up” brings a seamless connection between hip-hop and dancehall, with Konshens effortlessly flowing over Juvenile’s classic beat. Born out of a live stream on Miami’s 103.5 The Beat, the intense reception inspired Konshens to record an official version for the album. The track has already earned props from Birdman himself and is destined to dominate clubs across the Caribbean and beyond.

Another club-ready anthem, “Gyal Time Again,” features Charly Black. This high-energy party jam leans fully into revelry, with Konshens and Charly Black delivering dynamic vocal flows. The party continues with “So Many,” featuring Lil Duval, a slightly slower and chill riddim celebrating the beauty of women.

“Badman” brings a tweaked version of the classic Bookshelf riddim by Tony Kelly, with Konshens asserting his dominance as a “badman” who gets all the women. His cadence and vocal presence shine over the riddim.

“Tight and Good” delivers an up-tempo beat with a Latino flow, showcasing one of Konshens’ best lyrical and vocal performances on the album. This steamy track adds a different mood to the project.

Konshens slows things down with “Show Me,” a track with an ’80s R&B and Prince vibe. “It’s kinda raunchy and pays homage to Purple Rain by Prince and ‘Under the Influence’ by Chris Brown. I’m very excited about adding it to my shows,” Konshens said.

“Rich Sex,” featuring Eric Bellinger and Moyann, is a seductive, slow wine groove that’s both radio-ready and perfect for slow dancing. The trio’s voices blend beautifully, creating a sultry and captivating track.

“Shek It,” a previously released track, continues the seductive groove. Konshens delivers an easy, commanding flow with lyrics like:  “Big bumpa gyal, Wid the pretty face yu so special, To how she a wine mi must get her.”

“Red” brings an old-school dancehall riddim, with Konshens attacking the mic and “runnin’ da place.”

“Battle Zone” is a lyrical showdown between survival and success, featuring The Game. With west coast grit and commanding lyrics, the track highlights Konshens’ hip-hop flow. When asked how he got The Game to join, Konshens explained, “I was in Germany, and I heard a song that sounded like reggae with hip-hop drums. I told Izy I needed a beat with hip-hop drums and a Jr. Gong reggae feel. He sent me a beat in five minutes, and I cut the demo. We had the song for a year, and I decided to send it to The Game. He sent back two verses. Easy.”

“Wet and Wild,” featuring D’Yani, bridges generations with a dance-heavy beat that gets you moving. D’Yani’s smooth delivery perfectly complements Konshens’ style.

The album closes with “Deserve It All,” a dancehall anthem featuring Izybeats and Track Starr. This Afrobeat-influenced track is both danceable and uplifting, with a positive message that makes it an anthem for the summer and beyond. Konshens told Billboard, “Number one for me is track 15, ‘Deserve It All’; that’s the mode I’m in. I feel like music blessed me, and mi nuh feel guilty about receiving those blessings. I want more. I’m claiming it. I want to empower people to feel like they deserve to be successful and achieve their goals.”

This album is “another rebirth” for Konshens, delivering a project with meaning and fun. From profound reflection to fiery dancehall vibes and riddims, Pool Party showcases Konshens’ growth as a man, lyricist, and global artist. Whether you’re soaking up the sun or sweating it out in the club, this album offers a rhythm for every moment.

With its dynamic array of topics, moods, and textures, Pool Party stands as a complete artistic statement. Pushing for global appeal, Konshens infused Afrobeat, Latino, and hip-hop genres while staying true to his dancehall roots. He has truly delivered a HOT production to take us away from the negativity surrounding us today.

One Love – Todd M. Judd