After almost two years since their debut album, Never Trust a Happy Song, came out, Grouplove brings us their sophomore album, Spreading Rumors, taking a step away from the folkier, indie bonfire songs of the former album toward a collection of news songs with a more infectious electro-pop sound, meant to be played and sung along to on a road trip with the windows rolled down and the volume turned up.

The first single, “Ways to Go” is super catchy and features a simple lyric and melody combination that culminate into a great song for jamming out in the car with friends on a summer night, which, by the sound of the album, is something like the vibe Grouplove hoped to achieve.

“Borderlines and Aliens” sounds like a more experimental song for the band, but it works in every way. Featuring an intriguing bass line, a healthy dose of distortion in its guitar riffs, and a string of catchy hooks, the song is a hit.

In “Didn’t Have To Go,” we get the chance to hear more of keyboardist Hannah Hooper’s amazing vocals for a change. Don’t get me wrong, lead singer Christian Zucconi is great, but this track shows off Hooper’s ability to transition between serenading the listener with her soothing voice to rocking out and getting the listener pumped.

“Raspberry” is probably the highlight of the album for me, featuring catchy hooks in the chorus and cool guitars that contribute to a pumped up vibe. The song boasts a sweet but simple bass line in the verses and comes alive with distorted guitar and Zucconi’s energetic screams in the choruses. An incredible song.However, the record still has it’s low points. “Sit Still,” an acoustic song somewhat comparable in sound and vibe to the Mowgli’s “San Francisco,” falls flat in comparison to the tracks surrounding it, but it’s still better than songs like “Bitin the Bullet,” the lyrics to which are repetitive and sounds like it’s trying too hard to be something it isn’t.

Overall, the album’s strengths outweighs its weaknesses. Grouplove’s irresistibly catchy beats and melodies drive the band forward, keeping the momentum that started with Never Trust a Happy Song going with Spreading Rumors. (By Paula Mirando)

Rate: 4/5

Listen to “Borderlines and Aliens” below: