“Big Mess” is the third album from American indie rock band Grouplove, which consists of guitar player and vocalist Christian Zucconi, keyboard player and vocalist Hannah Hooper, guitar player and vocalist Andrew Wessen, drummer Ryan Rabin and bassist Daniel Gleason. Formed in 2009, the band’s popularity has been increasing with every album release and tour stop. The exhilarating feeling that you get when listening to the featured record “Welcome to Your Life” continues as you listen to the rest of the album. The band’s upbeat tune and lively lyrics keep the positive vibe alive.

Grouplove has been known for their catchy tunes such as their 2011 hit single “Tongue Tied,” which attracted all types of alternative and indie rock listeners. They are usually found performing their songs at music festivals like Edgefest, which takes place annually here in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This is no surprise as their music maintains an upbeat and lighthearted ambiance wherever it is played.

Hearing the first few tracks will reveal to the listeners where the band truly shines–their musical talent. Throughout the album, the band is constantly wowing the listeners with the intricate melodies and enigmatic rhythms, keeping the listener on their toes and craving more. The featured track “Welcome to Your Life” includes a small instrumental that makes the listener want to headbang their way to the end of the song. During this song, the line, “you’re such a big mess and I love you,” referring to the title, implements a carefree and amiable aura that sets the listener up for a festive 40 minutes. The lyrics to this track effectively illustrates the ups and downs that everyone in their life goes through, captivating the listeners with its catchiness and relatability.

Although this album has many uplifting songs that can relieve anyone’s bad mood, the album also holds many heartwarming and affectionate tracks. During “Spinning,” the sixth track on the album, the band repeats “Say here I stand, I was broken now I’m brave.”  The song reveals a more sensitive side to the band’s usual positive and lifting beat, and exposes the emotional and soft aspect of Grouplove’s lyrics.

Overall, “Big Mess” is a beautiful mixture of intriguing instruments, memorable lyrics, and relatable verses, all coming together to form this alternative indie rock album. The band’s ability to keep the listeners on their feet with their animated beats provides for a truly extraordinary feeling when listening to the album. The band’s exciting yet laidback nature will surely remind everyone why indie music is always worth the listen. I give the album a solid A.