ALBUM REVIEW: Forgiving Spree – Slowly Slowly
Australian pop-rock band, SLOWLY SLOWLY, are back with their latest album Forgiving Spree. In the words of lead singer, Ben Stewart, they wanted this, “to be a really solid rock album that had no filler on it; everything is tightly packaged, made for the stage, and explosive.” Yet SLOWLY SLOWLY made sure that their lyrics represented deeper themes that discuss life experiences from forgiving oneself to help process through tough times to a meaningful farewell to someone who’s passed away.
More than anything, this record is a little escape from reality and a way to get through dreary, dark days as you wait for happier ones to arrive. Like a teaser for an upcoming warm summer as the album is very much reminiscent of music festival season, more specifically when an indie-rock band playing a mid-afternoon set on a sunny day.
This imagery is immediately noticeable from the start when we open with the title track itself that, whilst going deeper is a song about forgiving yourself, is an upbeat, feelgood track that also draws comparison to YOU ME AT SIX. This continues on Gimme The Wrench that brings in synth pop melodies that perfectly compliment the soft pop-rock track, slightly juxtaposed with an energetic chorus that feels nostalgic and will bring you back to a simpler time in your youth.
While the album mostly consists of upbeat pop-rock songs, there are moments when SLOWLY SLOWLY shift away from that and either experiment with something a little different or convey darker moods. For example, closing track Born Free is a slow, powerful sounding track that beautifully builds as the song progresses, a reflection of the moving story the lyrics talk about processing death within your family, or Hurricane that, on the surface, sounds like a song heavily inspired by THE KILLERS yet the lyrics cover the grief of experiencing a miscarriage.
Moving into shifting sounds, we have That’s That which brings in 80s pop elements yet also reminds you of THE 1975 in that same breath, and Meltdown Masquerade which brings dark pop elements into the mix, drawing you in as you become curious as to how things might conclude here. Perhaps a main highlight is Love Letters which opens with a moodier composition before bringing in synth pop elements that focus on keyboard and guitar, elevating the already beautiful chorus where every word said you feel deep within you.
Forgiving Spree is a fun escape from reality as you prepare for happier days ahead, or just an excuse to dance and cry. That’s up to you to decide when it comes to this fun record.
Rating: 8/10
Forgiving Spree is set for release on January 24th via Nettwerk Music Group.
Like SLOWLY SLOWLY on Facebook.