Review: Healer - Grouplove
By Tommy Delone
If you ONLY know Grouplove as the band that made “Tongue Tied,” it's no fault of your own. Ever since their 2011 debut, Never Trust a Happy Song, the peppy synthpop band have stayed true to their millennial selves, crafting pop/rock anthems that possess carefree energy and blatant accessibility. They’ve been incredibly consistent, but their lack of depth has been to a fault. While perfect for day-drinking your Saturday away at the beach, beyond their shine n’ sheen, their albums are rather inessential listens. As a result, Grouplove never feels like a band with anything to prove, partially because there aren’t greater demands or expectations for them.
But if Grouplove proves anything on Healer, it’s that they just might have the right message to address the plight of humanity. Healer is the insightful, refreshing escape we need from the current chaos of the modern world, with new twists and turns that demonstrate the band isn’t complacent. Thematically, the record is half calls for self-growth, and half criticism of the institutions that brought forth the chaos of the world.
Lead-single and album opener “Deleter” is the best example of this, a song that questions the legitimacy of the people that are celebrated in society. This is explicitly found in the chorus, as Christian Zucconi sings “All this time I thought you were a leader/It turns out you’re only a deleter.” In the final chorus, Zucconi switches the lyrics ever so slightly, stating “All this time I’m burning with a fever/It turns out I’ve always been my healer.” Grouplove wants to make clear that in our world today, we can only feel better - feel ourselves - if we stop worshiping false idols.
“Inside Out” and “The Great Unknown” are two of the record’s inspired highlights, striking a particular chord with a generation that struggles with identity crisis and the uncharted territory of entering adulthood. “Hail to the Queen” is another track that shouts a positive message about taking action and becoming the change in the world that we all need. It’s evident throughout this entire album that Grouplove believes this world has already gone to hell, but we won’t be successful in our efforts to change unless we change ourselves. It’s a potent statement for any band of this ilk, but it’s made all the more powerful thanks to engaging, universal and straight up smile inducing rock. Even some of the “lazier,” more redundant tracks on Healer, like “Places,” still land the same message .
In a world that’s going to shit, Healer came out at the most opportune time. Not only does it offer a more mature and thoughtful Grouplove, it gives a struggling generation a collection of songs to rally behind. Personally, this album has completely changed how I view Grouplove and their music, and I feel like a fool for having underestimated them to the degree that I have been. While certainly not intended for release during the middle of a global pandemic, Healer couldn’t have come at a better time - for Grouplove, and for listeners. They’ve recaptured my attention, and hopefully, they will do so with yours.
