CD of The Week

Grouplove - Big Mess (Atlantic)

It's been three years since Grouplove last released an album. Within that timeframe, half of the west coast quintet has endured some big life changes. Hannah Hooper and husband, as well as bandmate, Christian Zucconi, had their first baby. The new parents have also considered their life, and the world as a whole, to be one big mess, which acted as the vision and name of the band's new album, Big Mess.

The record starts out with the track "Welcome To Your Life," where Hooper appropriately begins with the line, "we're back in business", to proudly declare the band's return. Later in the album opener, we hear the lyrics, "welcome to the world, my girl" sung by Zucconi. We can assume this is likely aimed at their new daughter. There are many references to Hooper and Zucconi's child that are spread throughout the record and she was clearly an immense artistic drive for the album.

Big Mess is consistently filled with lively, catchy anthems like "Cannonball", and "Good Morning." "Traumatized" might be the most diverse song on the album as it immediately grabs your attention by sounding so different from everything else. Its opening sequence has a captivating grunge sound that channels a mix between "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and "Moaning Lisa Smile" by Wolf Alice.

While this is the group's third album, Grouplove has remained true to their sound. Big Mess is loaded with dynamic harmonies and the relentless energy that they're regularly known for while the band's sunny, Los Angeles roots persistently shine through. To sum it up, Big Mess is a creative, and vibrant record.

Grouplove is back in Philadelphia on November 1st at The Fillmore.

**Donate $15 or more to Y-Not Radio this week to receive a download of Big Mess as our thank you gift. Click here for details.
Review by Gina Rullo