Grouplove: I Want It All Right Now [album review]

Hey everyone! Grouplove released their sixth album, I Want It All Right Now, on July 7th. You may know the band from songs like “Tongue Tied”, “Colours”, and “Ways to Go” that launched them to stardom in the early 2010s.

Grouplove is one of my most beloved bands (pun intended). I became a big fan of their first two albums, Never Trust a Happy Song (2011) and Spreading Rumours (2013), while I was in college. I saw them perform at Lollapalooza in 2014, which sealed the deal for me. Their passionate, uplifting performance created an unforgettable dreamy atmosphere on that beautiful Chicago summer day in Grant Park.

After meeting at an artists’ commune in Crete, Greece in 2008, the band reunited in the U.S. and decided to create Grouplove. The band’s name was inspired by their friendship and the love they share as friends.

The band is comprised of Hannah Hooper, Christian Zucconi, Andrew Wessen, Daniel Gleason, and Benjamin Homola. Christian and Hannah, who are married, both provide vocals. I really enjoy the combination of their vocals and especially love Christian’s expressive delivery and Hannah’s clever lyrics.

I Want It All Right Now features 11 tracks. The band has released music videos for five of the songs: “All”, “Hello”, “Francine”, “Eyes”, and “Cheese”. They recently shared a trilogy video for All / Hello / Cheese. Directed by Isaac Deitz, the videos all connect to one another and begin with Christian driving a car during “All”. He meets up with the rest of the band in “Hello” where the group amusingly walks around in a shared tuxedo. In the final part featuring “Cheese”, Christian apparently ended up crashing the car he was driving in the first video. As he gets out of the car, he joins the band as they perform the song in slow motion. Check out the trilogy video below!

In an interview with Flood Magazine, Christian and Hannah explained that the question,“Why do we always want something more than what we have?” is at the center of the album. They go on to explain that “so many of us are stuck in this perpetual cycle of seeking some type of validation or fulfillment from the outside world when it’s very possible that everything we need already exists within us.”

Songs like “Cheese” touch on the importance of the small things in life while tracks like “Eyes” explore the transitory nature of life. Surrendering to love and greater purpose is a key theme of the album as well. I really like the lyrics from the song “Billie” that say “I will help you unwind at a time when you won’t let go.” It is easy to get overwhelmed in life and the song serves as a reminder that it happens to all of us and we don’t have to stay there. We can return to a place of calm.

Musically, the album is energetic and bright. It sticks to the band’s signature indie rock and electropop sound but leaves plenty of room for experimentation and originality. They are no stranger to catchy hooks and I think “All” and “Malachi” best showcase the band’s knack for captivating melodies.

Grouplove always feels genuine. Like they want to help the listener in some way and make the world a better place. The band has said their music “all about building a supportive, loving community.” Their music seems to encourage and inspire people to explore their truth - whatever that might be.

I give the album 8.5/10. I Want It All Right Now is a deep and thoughtful album. It’s intricate, emotional, and spirited. While it may not have a smash hit like “Tongue Tied”, their craft has matured and invites a deeper connection.

I’m always excited when Grouplove releases new music - they definitely make the world a better place!