Anyone who adored Thus Love‘s debut album ‘Memorial’ released in 2022 may be feeling slightly apprehensive waiting for second album ‘All Pleasure’ – out this week via Captured Tracks. In addition the change of line-up, with the amicable departure of founding bassist Nathaniel van Osdol, and the addition of longtime musical partners, new bassist Ally Juleen (she/they) and guitarist/keyboardist Shane Blank (he/him) may be adding to the nerves. Joining vocalist/guitarist Echo Mars (they/them) and drummer Lu Racine (he/they) Thus Love is now a four-piece.
Fear not.
‘All Pleasure’ is a progression on from ‘Memorial’, absolutely Thus Love, and yet absolutely its own thing. The heavy bass riff of opener ‘On The Floor’ instantly demands attention, a statement of intent if you will. The guitars are powerful and strong throughout, with that spikey riff never letting go. There is an exuberance about this first track already leaving the listener hungry for more. ‘Birthday Song’ was the first single to be released from All Pleasure. “Do you believe in love?” asks vocalist Mars at the outset. The pull of the soaring emotion rises on the chorus, and then the calm descends: “Remember to breath. It’s the worst it will ever be”. The mantra is repeated, re-enforcing the positive message. And then a sharp turn with the rock n roll swagger of ‘Get Stable’. Thus Love must have a blast when playing this song. The build-up during the verse and the crashing percussion during the chorus are an utter delight, and then a crisp pause, until the party winds up again one more time to the end. Title track ‘All Pleasure’ follows, the last song written for the album, and the first by all four current band members. Mars lead vocal is joined by Juleen adding another dimension. But oh those guitars again, sliding hither and thither. ‘All Pleasure’ embodies a calmer place, reflective and thoughtful in parts.
And so to ‘Face To Face’, a highlight on ‘All Pleasure’ and one which is guaranteed to stop the listener. An unexpected song with simply a piano and vocal, both by Mars. The quality of the voice is breath-taking, there is nowhere to hide accompanied only by a piano. There is an openness here, a vulnerability expressed through the lyrics: “Sometimes I wish that I was blind. So all the faces here were kind.” There is an honesty, a sharing of inner thoughts and feelings: “It’s OK to make mistakes / Try not to worry all the time.” Perhaps this is a love song, finishing on “Yes, I want you here…” sung with such a lightness of touch, it reaches into the very soul. Moving straight into the bold and commanding ‘Lost In Translation’, does feel right. The slow heavy beat is considered and determined. “I wanna cut ties with something / Throw away my phone / I wanna smash all these cameras / Go pick up a stone.” The inference here suggests the desire for a challenge, to find situations that produce a feeling of discomfort. The frustration and tension in both vocal and instrumentation slowly grow as the track progresses.
The opening of ‘Show Me Patience’ again hooks the listener. A gentler track it adds to the notion that Thus Love have versatility. Genres are not accurate descriptions of artists. One could call Thus Love a guitar band, such is the glorious and varied soundscapes produced so often led by bass and guitar. But it does not do them justice. They are so much more than that. ‘House On A Hill’ is a wild ride, screechy and echoey one minute then all fallen back into line the next. Edgy and a little feral, the shackles have been well and truly thrown off for this track, and boy does it sound good. ‘Bread For Blood’ injects a dash of funk at the outset with its deep heavy bassline. It’s an intriguing title and there is an air of mystery. Not all has to be understood and explained for songs to be relished, artists are entitled to toy with us. Closing track ‘Losing A Friend’ sees the album out on an even par, and it seems only fitting it is dominated by guitars and the pounding drum of Racine. I implore you to listen to the very end!
Before Thus Love started recording ‘All Pleasure’, Echo Mars shared with his band members: “If it isn’t joyful, don’t do it.” This album simply oozes joy, for the band themselves in its creation and for us listeners wallowing in the result. This second album seems to delve into the complexities of the human condition, of love, of the challenges of life and relationships, of finding oneself. All this is wrapped within a sonic environment which at times is extraordinary. This is a band who gel completely. All concerns around the “difficult” second album, and changes in personnel are dashed after just one listen. ‘All Pleasure’ is exactly that, and we thank Thus Love for it.
9/10
Words: Julia Mason
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