REVIEW: GROUPLOVE - I WANT IT ALL RIGHT NOW

4/5

Summer Love

Australian site Music Feeds introduced me to the Californian rocking soul of American indie act GROUPLOVE in all caps, back in 2011. Sending me a review copy of their definitive debut of album artwork 'Never Trust A Happy Song', featuring singles such as 'Colours', 'Tongue Tied' and 'Lovely Cup'. Since then, there is no need to be 'Spreading Rumors' (just hear that sophomore set for yourself), this group of love have been synonymous with the scorching sound of summer. And amongst the freshly cut grass I've been itchin' on a new release like a photograph since 'This Is This' of 2021. Now, scratching vinyl like 'Big Mess' and the pandemic 'Healer', comes the acclaimed artwork and personal track-by-track portraits for the Spotify streams of 'I Want It All Right Now'. And you'll be glad that Aladdin wish has come true in the season and soundtrack that's as sweltering as the sweaty shirt stuck to your back. 

Don't be burnt though, because this is the lotion. The tonic like sipping sparkling water on a humid day. The hottest album of the week sees Hannah Hooper, Christian Zucconi, Andrew Wessen, Daniel Gleason and Benjamin Homola being that alternative best coast sound back, word to Beth. Showing that no matter how hot it gets, nothing matches the dreaming of California soul. Sharing one big suit, the band returned with dual singles 'Hello' and 'All' to make a grand greeting earlier this year. "So you're out, on your own/And nobody's talkin' to you/On the phone/Yeah, nobody's talkin' to you/So you go, yeah, just to get into view/Yeah, what are you gonna," served as the new "Hey, what's up" to those busy looking at their reflections in a black mirror. Driving this notion home like the video to 'All' with lyrics that run from loneliness, back to where the heart is. "I'm just trying to get home/In my heart I feel alone/I wanna have a good time, wanna be fine wine/I want it all right now/I wanna takе a long ride, with you by my side/I'm goin' to hell right now." Nodding to the album's title as you tune in and sing along. Tapping the steering wheel as you change direction like the needle. 

Threads will spider-diagram these lyrics to go like red yarn in this Instagram age. Yet it's the favourite 'Francine' of the stirring singles that will enter the history songbooks as one of the best odes to a first name basis muse. "Can you believe it?/Life is so fleeting/Everyone is here now/Then everyone is leaving/Never need a rеason/Always have this feeling/Everyone is hеre now/Then everyone is leaving." The chorus providing a call and response to the influence of life's impermanence that the generation that has grown up with this group knows all too well about now. Lasting like a summer love they always sang about from the first time their pedalling guitars and amp busting vocals brought you to Los Angeles like a train from Orange County. The 'Eyes' have it like the latest single walking through the lonely streets. "Yeah I'll miss you Los Angeles/Just when oh I can't say/It's all so subliminal/Thank God it's cloudy and grey". 

Reigning in Southern California, these kings and queen get their 'Cheese' on for the opening slice after 'All'. But nothing sounds corny about this 'Cream'. As a matter of fact, that atmospheric track is the best of the crop of eleven on offer here. Even if Prince couldn't even pull off (pun very much intended) the title's lyrical titillation here. Holding up the rectangles that we usually pose with ourselves to all the art on display, you'll be mesmerized by 'Malachi'. The same goes for 'Billie', brooding like Eilish. Harmonizing and healing the pain like Jean for this American blue. "Follow me down to a place where we lose control/And I will help you unwind at a time, when you won't let go", GROUPLOVE offers like a helping hand which won't lose its grip as we get ours. 'Tryin'' to reach for more in this life we lead that sometimes feels like lead. All the way to the powerful penultimate 'Climb' and the closing 'Wall' that this album of one word track wonders and huge hits gets over. 

"If you can't find a friend to go/Always feel like you will be alone/We'll be here to climb inside your head/If you can't swim without a boat/Yeah, you feel like you will never float/We'll be here to climb inside your head," they sing in solidarity making the 'Climb'. All before the 'Wall' comes tumbling down and yours you put up in the protection of self-preservation finds a friend peeking through to help you, brick-by-brick. Yeah, that's the 'Cheese', but it's so great to have GROUPLOVE back. An indie band that brings us all together like the ice cream nostalgia of Pretty Girls Make Graves in this time when all that means something just melts into memory. Bringing that old thing back in pink pastel, don't pass this over this New Music Friday of PJ Harvey and Taylor versions. Soundtracks, festivals, Coca-Cola commercials and being in the video games like EA, you'll have heard GROUPLOVE Everywhere before, from Glastonbury, to supporting Florence. But never like this. Raging against this machine age with their next gen Mama and Papas sound. Don't worry about being first to film this photographic portrait, right now. Just make sure you take it all in. Because you'll be left singing like Mercury to how hot this all is. "I want it all. I want it all. I want it all. And I want it now." TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Playlist Picks: 'Eyes', 'Francine', 'Cream'.