John Brown’s Body, the eight-piece band which hails from Boston and upstate New York, releases their sixth studio album this September, but you can sample the tunes early on Thursday, August 7, at Outerland at the Martha’s Vineyard Airport.

The band’s influences range from classic U.K. reggae of the 70s to West African instrumentation, from indie rock to spaghetti westerns. The group’s first album since 2005 features a more experimental outfit, challenging the usual notions of contemporary reggae by using instruments like the African kora and cello and letting in hip-hop influences.

Since the last album, lead singer Elliot Martin underwent throat surgery and several band members departed; most significantly, the band suffered the loss of bassist Scott Palmer. Mr. Palmer lost his battle with cancer in 2006, only six months after his diagnosis.

That subject is addressed in the song Ghost Notes.

Tickets are $25; doors open at 9 p.m. for ages 21 and up.