The Growlers' musical sound has always seemed to stick close to the odd, surf-y, psychedelic, rock 'n roll that the band have dubbed "beach goth." Yet, although the their past releases have exhibited all the sonic categories of this genre, The Growlers recently steered themselves away from being stereotyped as simply a beach goth band. Their latest LP, "City Club," released September 30th on Cult Records, adds some synth and removes some surf from the band's sound. Produced by Julian Casablancas, frontman of The Strokes, Julian Casablancas+The Voidz and owner/founder of Cult Records, and Shawn Everett who has worked with bands such as Weezer, Lucius, Alabama Shakes and The Voidz (to name a few), "City Club" is sounding more polished than The Growlers have ever sounded before.
Shawn Everett, Julian Casablancas, and Growlers guitarist Matt Taylor in studio - 📷 Taylor Bonin
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The album contains songs that range anywhere from the "Chinese Fountain"-esque, to heavy, synth-laden tracks like "Vacant Lot," the mellower ever-so-dreamy "When You Were Made" and to the slow, ballad-type "Blood Of A Mutt." The record is filled with compelling bass lines, and most of the album showcases playful, upbeat rhythms you couldn't help but dance to. While every song has its role in making this LP stand out in The Growlers' repertoire, in my opinion, the crowning jewel of "City Club" is the 11th track, "Too Many Times." The song features Julian Casablancas, who delivers the mesmerizing second verse, complementing Brooks Nielsen's vocals with his own and adding a whole new layer to the feel of the song.
Growlers singer Brooks Nielsen with a vinyl of "City Club" on the day of its release - 📷 Taylor Bonin
The LP exhibits many differences in its sound as compared to previous releases, but, as usual, The Growlers still show off something unique and all their own. A few of this album's elements seem to have been foreshadowed on their previous record "Chinese Fountain," yet with "City Club," The Growlers added something more to their sound, explored, experimented, and changed. Most impressive of all, they seem to have pulled it off.
