Jesse Grossi – Grow Up (2021)
Drawing together the sounds of Johnny Cash, Rancid, Lily Allen, Nirvana and Bob Marley, Jesse Grossi has a truly obscure and unique sound. Think about it, all of those genres merged into a single sound is quite genre-defying and potentially boundary-breaking. In the case of US-based singer-songwriter Grossi, it is definitely stepping over a couple of lines. A regular on The Other Side Reviews, Grossi has become a firm favourite with his singles ‘Last Call’ and ‘My Demise’. Referred to as a “wonder-kid” by YMX, this artist is turning heads and building a good reputation on an international scale. One of the latest additions to his critically acclaimed repertoire is ‘Grow Up’.
Following ‘My Demise’ (read our review here), ‘Grow Up’ is upbeat, jovial and can have you dancing about the room from the outset. Nodding to the sounds of yesteryear, this single has the intensity of Sum 41 with the bounce of Sublime – something I grew up with and really appreciate in this stagnating pop-punk/pop-rock scene. Incorporating some ska-punk into the mix, ‘Grow Up’ is a blistering combination of pounding drums, slick guitars and Grossi’s powerful vocals. While the melody has a strong harmony in its toe-tapping style, it is the lyricism that grabs me.
Grossi shares that ‘Grow Up’ “…is about trying to come to grips with maturity and dealing with the struggles of getting older yet still acting like a kid.” This might seem a simple theme, but there are intricacies in the concept. Instead of just acting like a kid on the surface, ‘Grow Up’ touches on the frustration, anxiety and social expectations of being an adult in the 21st century. It’s not all fun and games; however, Grossi’s single makes things seem slightly more optimistic with its super-fun sound.
Teetering on the cusp of naïve innocence and reflective sophistication, ‘Grow Up’ is an anthemic tribute to being an adult in contemporary society. The thing is, while it looks at growing up, the melody has a childish joy elegantly captured with Grossi’s mad skills.
For more from Jesse Grossi check out his Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
