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It can be quite unusual for musicians to return to the styles and sounds that first made them successful – especially if the subsequent evolution has been well received. The Growlers have released their 6th studio album Casual Acquaintances just under 2 years after their City Club album.

This record sees a return to their self-titled genre of ‘beach-goth’. Under the direction of Strokes’ frontman Julian Casablancas, City Club seemed to rid their trademark hazy-garage theme and replace it with a much more polished disco sound. Although the change wasn’t welcomed by all, it seems bizarre to criticise a band for offering something fresh. If any fans became alienated after the band’s journey to new pastures, they will surely forgive The Growlers after the new release of Casual Acquaintances.

Strangely, the 10 tracks on the album were recorded the same time as City Club and put aside as ‘demos’. Although this suggests that the two albums were recorded within a similar musical mindset, the contrast in tone and sound makes this almost impossible to believe.

The album opens with interlude Neveah, a track in which frontman Brooks Nielsen’s gritty voice is as prominent as ever. The lyrics begin with a defeatist yet romantic tone with him preparing to leave his ‘lovely’ as she no longer wants him. This opening quip leads into Problems Ill where the sinister lyrical theme continues with references to “blind acid trips” and pleads to “pour your heart into mine”. The vivid presence of the organ perfectly melts the two opening tracks together as if they are one.

“This dark theme seems persistent throughout this record and if you weren’t convinced that the group had said goodbye to glossy disco, then this track is bound to make sure you are.”

Orgasm of Death reeks of noir attitude as the four minute track contemplates the fears and understandings of life and death. The eery and almost uncomfortable lyric: “Did I not show you a way out” is haunting and fits in faultlessly with the shaking bass-line . This dark theme seems persistent throughout this record and if you weren’t convinced that the group had said goodbye to glossy disco, then this track is bound to make sure you are.

When listening from start to finish, Last Cabaret seems to be the only track that tells us these songs were recorded parallel with City Club – in fact it sounds like it has been taken off the B-side. Closing and title track Casual Acquaintances is trademark Growlers, oozing with societal pessimism over a summery beat, the title song concludes the 6th studio record from The Growlers delightfully.

It still bemuses me that this LA band have not made a big name in the UK thus far. With consistent yet high quality releases, hopefully they venture over to play to our crowds with this new album.

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