Gomez – Whatever’s On Your Mind | Album Review

Review by Helen Brown


Whatever's On Your Mind - GomezWhatever’s On Your Mind – Gomez
  Quite often, to reach an international level of success means the artist becomes complacent and mass-produces haphazard regurgitations of work from their glory days. Thankfully, Gomez’s seventh release Whatever’s On Your Mind does not fall into this category. Fronted by Ian Ball, the London lads have produced a sunnier sound with a slightly more pleasant, less brooding disposition compared to their earlier albums. With the central theme of letting go and moving forward, Whatever’s On Your Mind speaks to many people.


The strong opener ‘Options’ is a feel-good Summer track with a bluesy guitar riff.

Ball sings of always finding an upside to life, even in less-than-ideal situations. Next, try not to drown in the cool groove of the title number ‘Whatever’s On Your mind,’ about letting go of heavy emotional loads that are weighing you down. Ball warbles so personally against a string orchestra backdrop, with his smoky and gravelly voice offering inspiration and tenderness, as he looks into your eyes and says: “take my hand…”

Standouts are ‘Just As Lost As You’ and ‘The Place And The People,’ displaying impressive vocal gymnastics as well as great range and harmonies. ‘The Place And The People’ includes poetic metaphors for being in a rut and feeling comfortable there: “Where’s the good in pushing trains from the rail / what’s so bad about breaking bread gone stale?” The music is deeply textured too, with layer upon layer of synth organs, brass, bass and clearly defined percussion. The acoustic riffs with electric undertones are very good, and there is even a hint of playful beat-boxing, which shows Gomez had some fun during production. ‘Equalizer’ is yet another fun track with a surfer rock vibe, and strips the usually complex musical element back to kick drumming during the early verses.

The flipside of the clever lyrics are those that have been criticised as gushy and rudimentary, for example: “You’re the song in my heart.” Considering the band’s supreme vocal strength and ludicrously good music skills, a few lazy lyrics can be forgiven.

Whatever’s On Your Mind is exploding with personality and defies the usual boundaries of genre – what a shame this does not continue throughout, though. The majority of tunes are thought-provoking and emotive, yet wane in enthusiasm and intensity toward the end. The album finishes abruptly and anti-climactically, proving that the sure-fire road to guaranteed success and bigger sales is to always leave fans wanting more.

Genius and unique with unfathomably sublime rhythms, Gomez are no amateurs when it comes to the fine art of making music. Past releases have resembled what you would normally listen to while waiting for the last train home, but Whatever’s On Your Mind, being more cheery and optimistic, will chill and brighten even the most stressed people. Showing incomparable versatility and technique, listen to Whatever’s On Your Mind to renew your Gomez vows and remember why you fell in love with them in the first place.

(My rating: 4 out of 5)
Review by Helen Brown

Options from Gomez on Vimeo.


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