Groove Saloon – If I Don’t Make It (2024)
Described as the “unholy union of Tame Impala and Backstreet Boys”, Groove Saloon oozes 90s pop sex appeal with psychedelic flair. Sauntering along with distracting dangerousness and calming charm, musicians Daniel McBurnie and Graham Gomez shift from soothing folk to a rambunctious smoosh of psych-pop, hip-hop and rock. Who knew these innocent youths have such alluring deception? With music that can “tickle and delight as easy as it can offend and disgruntle”, we jump headfirst into Groove Saloon’s debut single ‘If I Don’t Make It’. Please, join us!
Formerly performing as part of the folk band Good For Grapes, Gomez and McBurnie divert to a psychedelic sound entirely Groove Saloon and no one else. Self-recorded and produced, ‘If I Don’t Make It’ breathes life into vintage funk and soul with contemporary pop fluttering through the melody. A dynamic guitar matches bold beats in the synth-driven symphony. For me, the arrangement’s kaleidoscopic harmony sends you swirling about in a giddy haze of sound; however, slips of bass and keyboard slice through the track with a “well, don’t get too comfortable” quality. Moreover, the crescendo of a classic rock guitar solo is a breath of grittiness in a warm sonic bubble.
Penned to capture the “uncomfortable and heart-wrenching utterings and pauses during a romantic breakup”, ‘If I Don’t Make It’ expresses the fluttering of love, hope and a desperate desire to continue the romance; however, lingering distortions, off-kilter loops and an obscure hit of keyboards at the end enhance the “this is over” sentiment. An interesting interplay between male and female vocals pointedly marks the disruption in both sides of the couple, as well as the tragedy of the failed romance.
In addition to the single, Groove Saloon released an official music video for ‘If I Don’t Make It’. You can view the video below or on their YouTube channel. Please note that this video uses lighting effects that can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
Find out more about Groove Saloon on their Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp and Spotify.
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