SuppliedGROUNDER
GROUNDERS
Nevado Records
groundersmusic.com
Like Edmonton summers, GROUNDERS’ debut self-titled album is short, sweet and good to do drugs with. Without being kitschy, the Toronto four-piece has managed to expertly blend psychedelia with indie rock, making it a record that is perfect for driving around with the windows down while working on your tan. The soft vocals paired with ethereal guitars and a hint of fun electronics are so summery it hurts.
Perhaps the best part of the album is the consistent vibe it holds for the entirety of it’s nine-tracks. _GROUNDERS_ seems like one cohesive unit, each song blending flawlessly into the next with barely a glitch. Well, the one glitch that may pull a listener out of their chill stupor is the loud trill that starts off “Pet Uno,” but it serves more of a reminder that the album isn’t only one song than an annoyance. The drums sometimes pick up pace and an occasional synth at the forefront of a track will break out of the melodious guitar riffs, but otherwise GROUNDERS sticks to their relaxed feel.
While generally albums where every track sounds the same are repetitive and dull, the overall vibe that GROUNDERS have created is where they shine. They strike a perfect balance between chill and sleepy. It’s beach rock without the novelty. It’s psychedelia without being stoner-y. It’s not the best album ever, but it’s a good place to start a summer day. And sometimes that is all you need.
