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Keeping their core sound intact to sound familiar to old fans, and simultaneously branching out in their genres and production, resulting in another album that stands well on its own among the band’s diverse discography.
In this rainy UK summer we’re having, this album feels like a fortunate ray of sunshine, apparently all the way from California. This is yet another Grouplove album with an incredible amount of joy poured into the higher portion of the tracklist, with the more serenading, slower-paced songs slotted neatly between. The hippie outfit have yet again explored a new sub-genre to keep things fresh, delving into grunge-like, gritty lyrics and production, juxtaposing some of their more tongue-in-cheek lyrics. The album is a great listen and definitely boasts some tracks with staying power, but for me, it is also a mixed bag. Grouplove’s occasional dissonance between the vocals and melody has proven to be their greatest weapon before, but this album doesn’t succeed in nailing it all the way through.
This is made clear by a lead single for the album, “Hello”, which never quite syncs in the moments it should have for me, making the song move along at a trundle. The lyrics are relatable, optimistic and what carry the song, as the band evoke their core themes of community and caring in a new context, in the wake of a changing life. This was unfortunately the first instance of Grouplove’s lyrics being let down by the instrumentals, which I expected, as this was the single released prior that I was least impressed with, but it’s underwhelming result is overshadowed by its three predecessors on the album, the one-two punch of “Cheese” and “Malachi”, following opening track and opposing lead single, “All”.
“All” is an ethereal first step on the album’s journey, that proves Grouplove can pull a lyrical gut punch out, and establishes the album’s motif of desire to feel, experience and enjoy more. This motif carries on as the album dives into the grungier side with the heavier-hitting pair of “Cheese” and “Malachi”, which pick up the album’s pace with solid instrumentals, before the aforementioned “Hello” interrupts that pace.
From there on, the album is much better at going between the harder and softer-sung tracks, as “Eyes” delivers sombre lyrics complimented by a more subtly uplifting melodies, followed by the charming “Billie”, which are the peak of the band’s hippie-like lyrics, that Hannah Hooper breathes life into. This is Grouplove doing what they do best, singing as if the song was aimed at their very best friend, in yet another unique style of production.
“Tryin’” finds itself at a similar pace to the first trio of tracks on the album, with buildup that lets it flow in from the ending of “Billie” perfectly, and keep building on the album’s more definitively rock instrumentals throughout the song, another song that passes the “can Grouplove do grunge” test. Now, what sets the following track, “Cream” apart from the interruption status of
“Hello” is the way its dream-like sound ensnares you right off the bat, and keeps you hooked right until the beautifully executed drop into an electric symphony that is unlike anything Grouplove have done before.
This is my personal song of the album. However, “Francine” was not so lucky. While the lyrics and instrumental didn’t clash, the result of their sum was simply less than expected, a smaller slice of the pie. I definitely see how this is one of the more popular members of the cast of I Want It All Right Now, but for me the result was just decent. The song felt like it was building to something, only for that to underwhelm as well.
To compare the closing tracks to a concert experience, “Climb” is the final song that gets the whole place bouncing, and “Wall” is the cigarette immediately after getting outside and the high you’re on for the rest of the night in one song. “Wall” has a softer opening and ending sandwiching the uproar throughout the rest of the song. It has a sound befitting a sendoff tune, and completes a solid release from 2014’s favourite hippie rock band.
Truth be told, I understand anyone who has a distaste or lack of care for this album. The albums Grouplove explored worked for me, but they may not be as big hitters for fans of less stylised grunge, or people who have never liked the sub-genre at all. However, the band’s mostly successful infusion of their own themes and style into the genre was a win for me. Grouplove fans should remain satisfied with album #6, while there may also still be something in it for casual listeners or new listeners.
What do you think of the new Grouplove album 'I Want It All Right Now'?
Big fan! (7+ out of 10)
Eh it's alright (4-6 out of 10)
Did not like at all (<3 out of 10)
If you haven't heard it yet, it's available on all streaming services here
(Drop the UK tour dates now please guys x)
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