Artist: Parlovr
Album: Kook Soul
Label: Dine Alone Records
Rating: 7.4

There used to be a lot more simple choices when it came to music. You were basically either a Beatles person, or an Elvis person, (according to Quentin Tarantino). Now music has gone mainstream underground, which means that there is a band for every part of your life. There are now bands you put into playlists for your dinner parties, going to the gym, or studying for your biochemistry exam. Parlovr’s sophomore album Kook Soul is an album that is made for your summer road trip. It’s an energetic, peppy, but still hard rocking album that should give Parlovr more lovers.

The wilderness of upbeat indie pop is pretty thick these days, but Parlovr have dove headlong with 12 songs that never feel like they’re trying too hard to make you love them, but they’re certainly songs that are actually trying very hard for some undying affection. It’s an album about reminiscing of past and future loves, and it stays pretty much on course throughout. After the keyboard anthem of “Do You Remember” which kicks off the album, you might be fooled by the intro to “Just Marriage” which sort of
sounds like the wormhole sequence in 2001, but then pulls the rug out as it turns into one of the more rocking numbers on the album. “Holding on to Something” will remind you a bit of the sample in M.I.A’s “Paper Planes”, which is kind of annoying because while it’s a good song, may just make you reach for that summer jam of 2008. The slow downbeat “You Only Want it ‘Cause You’re Sad and Lonely” seems almost so simple that it’s a parody, but then it’s smartly followed by the darker “4000” which could be
the most mature song on the album. By the time you get to the toe tapper “General Hell” you’re either hooked or you’ve long left the building.

Parlovr will have plenty of competition for the prime spot on the summer playlist, but they’ve made a valiant effort that should get prime consideration. My only complaint would be that 12 songs about love and relationships is probably a bit about 9 songs too many. They’re all strong songs on their own, and they should be commended with sticking with the theme, but it’ll probably pigeon hole them as being that “type” of band.Parlovr have worked hard for my adoration and they’ve achieved it because they’re pretty
cute, although in the long run, if you want me to stick around, you’ll have to stimulate my brain a bit more.

– Michael Unger