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'Laugh' Review: The Gooms's debut album crushes negativity with its creative optimism and carefree humor

Originally slated for a release on July 24, the group rescheduled its release for the new September date and shared an animated video for one of its tracks, 'God's Target'
PUBLISHED SEP 2, 2020
The Gooms (Press handout)
The Gooms (Press handout)

Indie rock outfit The Gooms are set to release their new album 'Laugh.' on September 4. Originally slated for a release on July 24, the group rescheduled its release for the new September date and shared an animated video for one of its tracks, 'God's Target'. You can watch it below.

'Laugh.' will mark the band's very first studio album and follows their debut EP 'With an M', which released in 2018. In a press statement, the group shared the new records' conception: "'Laugh' circles the theme around tragedy and how to deal with feeling extremely down and heavy-hearted in both good and bad times," the band explained. "It is honest to a fault without pretense. While dealing with this heavy subject matter, we also intended to showcase our ever-present goofiness, silliness, and ability to find humor in dark places." says The Gooms.

The Gooms continued to share its themes, saying, "The album title Laugh. is a command, thanks to the period at the end of the word. It’s telling you to be happy and smile and feel good in a time where it’s hard to do so." They noted, "Even the album title on the artwork is arched down with a shape of a frown. There are contrasting parallels between dark themes and upbeat sounds within our music."

Based in Los Angeles, The Gooms consist of members Chase Buttons (lead vocalist and guitarist), Nicole Rae (singer and lead guitarist), Ryan Meagher (on bass) and drummer Shane Lawrence. After their debut into the musical arena in 2018, the group has built up a formidable name for themselves, lighting up stages in the LA music scene and 'Laugh.' arrives at the perfect time to whet fans' appetites.

'Laugh.' front cover art (Press handout)

Straight off the bat, the new album's opener 'God's Target' is a testament to the band's ability to craft a mix between negative and positive themes. The song's midtempo pace and swaying vocals yield a sense of mindless mesmerism down a path of forgetting your troubles. The tangible result is an intro taste of The Gooms' infectious need to blanket darkness and pain with carefree euphoria.



 

The following track 'T.M.P.' weaves between a traipsing rhythm, sudden fill-in breaks and rock grooves. We hear a subtle trace of Jimmy Eat World in its sonic spirit, although The Gooms' indie-rock-cocky vocals and harder punch-in-the-gut instrumentals make them the big brother with words of wisdom from a darker realm. The Gooms' sound also resonates with bands like Fast Romantics or Andy Clockwise.

Move on to the LP's fifth track, 'Ska Ska Blah Blah', and you find the group's creative energies letting them enjoy other forms of rock and roll. The fast-forward blast that is this track pushes out all its optimistic energies in the form of venting with ska. With a title like 'Elvis Pelvis', the song is just as cheeky and is an ode to the band's humorous side. With another mix of rhythms and mini solo riffing, you can tell The Gooms let this track be their playground. 

In 'Unoriginal Boy', the swag and power lend from the sounds of Brit rock. Frontman Buttons also belts out his vocals and the song showcases his strength as a versatile singer.

For another early sample before the album's release, you can listen to 'Free Sweaters? Fantastic!' below.



 

'Laugh.' is intended to be a feel-good album and is rightly so. The seriousness, however, is experienced in the band's skillful music-making. Their passion for their craft is paralleled with the unspoken advice to be free and lighten up. For those looking for music with strong creative artistry without too much synth or electronic sounds, and if you just want to let loose for a while, the 12-track album 'Laugh' comes highly recommended.



 

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