IllScarlett — EPdemic

White boy reggae will probably never sound cool, but IllScarlett come pretty damn close. Their mix of ska, dub and reggae can be a bit of a pill at times, but it's never anywhere near The Salads' level of cheese. Instead, it comes off as a smooth mix of genres, executed with deft pop sensibility and massive crossover potential. The singer's wail is somewhat similar to pop funk crooner Jason Mraz, and the music would sit perfectly with college stoners tired of their Sublime records. Thankfully, it's not all watered down ska, and the EP offers instrumental moments that would appeal to fans of Dave Matthews and Toots And The Maytals alike. If they keep it up, this Toronto quintet could dominate rock radio airwaves.

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