Just Friends - ‘Gusher’ review: a sexy, melancholic, complete party
Just Friends
The summer may be over, but Just Friends (AKA JF Crew) latest album, Gusher, will transport you to an endless summer party. With their fourth album, the band have honed their sound, blending funk, pop-punk, and 90s hip-hop with disco. The result is an intoxicating, sleazy, and sexy sound that will get you dancing. But cut away the rich layers of sound on Gusher, and as you find on all great party records, lyrically, you'll find something deeper, at times almost melancholic.
The melancholy that lies just beneath the surface of JF Crew's sound is brought to the forefront on tracks such as "Better 2 Be Around", "Brain Hurt Bad", and "Clown On You". Of these, "Better 2 Be Around" is the most tinged with pain and regret. The song revolves around the refrain "I wish I was better to be around", and the lyrics express the protagonist's deep-seated desire to be a better person. They feel like they have failed as a partner, and they want to change. All they want to do is love their partner right.
Pop-punk heavy lead single, "Life I'm Living In", is a heartfelt anthem that celebrates the chaotic journey of life. The song is a story of hope and resilience, finding love and joy even in the midst of difficult times. The song's co-vocalists, Sammy Klees and Brianda "Brond" Goyos Leon, brought different intentions to their writing. Klees channelled the change in perspective he experienced during lockdown: life is messy and it hurts, but the best we can do is offer ourselves and others grace. He wants to move forward with integrity and share joy with the people who stick around. Goyos Leon, on the other hand, reflected on the stark contrast between her life before and after joining Just Friends. For her, the song is a celebration of how bright the heart can shine when surrounded by the right people.
I don’t want to give you the wrong impression that Gusher is wholly the musical personification of the crying while dancing gif. While there are moments of sadness, there are also moments of pure seduction, as evidenced by tracks like "Cream & Sugar", "1-800-SEXY", "Circle Pit Of Love", and "Love Bug". "Cream & Sugar" is a wah-wah heavy funky ode to morning delight. The track transforms the line “Let’s get some coffee in the morning, with a little bit of cream and sugar” into the darn right dirtiest thing you have heard. This track oozes sex appeal and captures JF Crew at their filthiest best.
"Love Bug" is the standout track on the record, personifying everything that makes JF Crew great. The song opens with Brianda Goyos Leon's native Spanish vocals, which immediately draw you to your feet to grove along. The track combines funk instrumentation, Latin rhythms, and a guitar solo that is so suggestive that the track should come with an NSFW warning. “Love Bug’ as its lyrics say leaves you under its spell.
The closer, "U & Me", is a musical departure from the rest of Gusher. The band's typically groove-heavy sound is stripped back to a tender acoustic ballad. Klees and Goyos Leon's vocals take on a wistful nature, full of longing and regret. It is the final melancholic moment as you watch the love of your life walk out the door.
Gusher is a sexy, melancholic, and party-starting album that showcases JF Crew's ability to blend funk, pop-punk, and 90s hip-hop. A blend of these eclectic genres has no right to slap as hard as does. It’s clear JF Crew have carved a massive niche for themselves in the current alt landscape. In short, what’s destined to be not only a summer classic with Gusher, JF Crew have created the soundtrack to the season.
Gusher, the fourth album Just Friends, is out now via Pure Noise Records and on your favourite music platform.
