The ever-experimental family & friends band, BYRDZONG, is back with their second album, Tasting Flight – the follow-up to last summer’s debut, “Mixed Dozen,” which turned out to be a masterclass in the multi-genre music sphere. We’re diving into the record’s ten tracks with a mindset as open as the band itself, curious to follow BYRDZONG’s “random walk across different genres,” as described in their own words…
It all kicks off with “Coconut Rum” – ice-cool grooves backlighting a blissfully feel-good atmosphere steeped with imagery of jamming with acoustics on a summer beach; the track soon being carved with prog rock organs and a classic rock guitar solo, which brilliantly cements the band’s self-professed ‘tropical rock’ inspirations for this album-opener.
But things take a turn as track two – “Anything But Blue” – dabbles in the realm of pop ballads, this particular addition capturing the soft nostalgia and warm comforts of an iconic Disney soundtrack; already a world away from where Tasting Flight began.
The reggae-infused hit, “Ganja’s Got To Go,” soared to the semi-finals of 2025’s International Songwriting Competition, promising a stand-out track that brings the underlying theme behind Tasting Flight’s first four songs to the surface: navigating relationships with substances.
Then, “Four Steps Back” sets this theme in a brand new light – a track that almost sounds like a children’s anthem if not for its adult-oriented lyrics; its fantastic contrast serving a vibrant metaphor for escapism into a time when life was easier, straightforward, and untainted by substance experiences.
As track five, “Just Stay Home” begins, BYRDZONG introduces a new theme which carries through the next four songs: interpersonal relationships. A country ballad touched by hints of reggae and rock comes topped with lyrics of breaking out of one’s comfort zone. Acoustic and oddly addictive, we’re big fans of this track.
“I Will Always Care” cuts the mood apart with its trap beat and R&B-meets-soul ambience. Its electric pianos, sentimental riffs, and vocals comparable to a ‘90s girl group may sound mismatched on paper, yet BYRDZONG does the impossible, making these Frankensteined elements work with flawless cohesion.
Another highlight hits in the wildest of places: a cover of the classic SpongeBob SquarePants track, “Ripped Pants,” takes the seventh spot on the album, and the flashback is just as awesome as you can imagine.
“We Used To Dance” marks a cosy return to the country genre, this time with the aura of a chart-topper, capturing sensitive, velvet moods with a vivid streak of nostalgia.
Closing tracks, “Sixty Million Dollar Man” and “Always Tastes Better” are woven around the theme of “our relationships with life,” as BYRDZONG puts it, yet these two songs couldn’t sound further apart if they tried – the first being a hyper-modern trap rap piece and the album-ender based in hearty acoustics. Needless to say, BYRDZONG absolutely nailed their vision of creating a multi-genre record, flooded with soul, meaning, reflection, and an infectious sense of creativity ready to reanimate your belief in humankind as the rest of the music scene stumbles beneath the influence of AI. This is pure, human music, and it shows in every beat. Our final verdict? Recommended.
BELOW: Listen to BYRDZONG and check out their music online. Please support BYRDZONG by visiting their website and playing, downloading, and/or purchasing their music. And, as always, thank you for supporting real music.
Follow, stream, download & connect with BYRDZONG online:
Listen to Tasting Flight by BYRDZONG:
Tasting Flight premieres on 05/22/2026