The Gladeyes- Pyschosis of Love
8/10

Expertly pieced together from songs spanning many years in age, The Gladeyes’ long awaited Psychosis of Love kicks off with the most familiar song ‘Monika’. Each song has been embellished lightly (flourishes of instrumentation, extra backing vocals), but retains the essence of what made them swoonworthy in the first place. Their appeal has always laid in their genuine sincerity, infectious pop hook talent, dreamy, Chamber-pop affection and mock-twee styling. The interplay of the band, consisting of Jade Farley and Gwen Norcliffe, and their charmingly coy and subtle singing style coupled with their insightful lyrics are the winning formula here. Backed by simple melodies that centre around lone guitar riffs, sprinklings of percussion and steady bass, their classic songs are brought to life and fully embelished on Psychosis of Love. ‘There He Goes’ would sit aside nicely atmospheric ’60s girl groups, yet the production is fiercely Jesus and Marychain-esque, that escalates into a Moe Tucker-style romp of restrained tom cacophony in its later minutes. ‘The End Of The World Because You Don’t Love Me Anymore’ is a beautiful, dreamy, breathy ode punched up by the Auckland Children and Youth Chorus, adding a magnificent, grandiose quality. The album is structured cleverly to avoid any dragging melancholy; next up is their lauded cover of Die! Die! Die!’s ‘Shyness Will Get You Nowhere’, clearly one of the best appropriated and willfully strong covers ever. So unexpected is the brashness yet so perfectly fitting to their honesty, from one excellent band to another this song holds strong and puts both groups in excellent light. Wonderfully creepy stalker anthem ‘Your Address’ (“I just wanted to know what the view from your window might be like/ I just wanted to know what bus you take home every night”) continues in the spirit of showing off their songwriting chops, and has possibly the most band-y feel of all the songs. Featuring throughout the album are prominent Auckland artists James Milne (Lawrence Arabia), Henry Oliver (ex-Die! Die! Die!), Ryan McPhun (The Ruby Suns), Tim Guy, Imogen Taylor and The Wildwood Lights. While it tails off toward the end (flutey ‘Kasey’ and slow ‘Petit Chouchou’) it springs into action for the mouthy closer ‘One Million Kisses’ complete with shouty chorus! Truly worth the wait.
Sarah

Posted by Sarah Gooding under Album, Reviews
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