Album Review: Grouplove - Big Mess
Maria Lubanovic, Contributor
[Atlantic; 2016]
Rating: 6.5/10
Key Tracks: “Welcome to Your Life,” “Do You Love Someone,” “Don’t Stop Making It Happen”
Big Mess is Grouplove’s third album, and their most recent work since their last album in 2013. This album has a similar sound and feel to one of their earliest albums, featuring the single “Tongue Tied,” which was featured in both an Apple commercial and an episode of Glee.
“Welcome to Your Life” starts the album off with the laid back sound of great vocals paired with an upbeat background. It’s a feel good track, and it’s just as catchy as “Tongue Tied”. It’s a great start to the album, and leaves you wanting more from Grouplove. It’s the biggest stand out from the rest of the sound of the album, especially because it is more indie-pop sounding rather than the alternative feel of the other tracks.
The other songs in this album are individually great, interesting, and musically well done, but they many of them sound so similar to each other that it is hard to truly distinguish the songs in the middle of the album. They tend to be mellower, more guitar heavy, and generally more alternative sounding than “Welcome to Your Life”.
“Don’t Stop Making It Happen” is one of the best tracks on the album. It has fun, lighthearted lyrics, a very cool guitar riff, and a simplicity to its vocals that make it reminiscent of Two Door Cinema Club’s “The World is Watching.” They are even in the same key. “Hollywood” ends the album on a softer and slower song, bringing an overall cohesive end to the album.
The most problematic thing about Big Mess is the fact that so many of the tracks sounded so similar that the potential for each one is lost. Tracks like “Good Day” are fun and upbeat track by themselves, but when put between “Enlighten Me” and “Spinning”, each one loses its impact.
