Music has the power to bring energy to a room. From smooth grooves to upbeat melodies, a song can get you moving with a quick enough tempo or when the right note is hit. For Atlanta-based jazz rock band Wabi Sabi this is an effortless task if their latest release, “The Love Insane,” is anything to go by. Though the intro track starts off slow, it doesn’t take long for it to impress.
“The Truth” starts things off with a contemplative piano before Damien Cartier’s vocals take center stage. The soft crooning combines with the light piano keys that mixes well with the violin to create a very emotional atmosphere to compliment the lyrics. Contemplative lines such as “so I’ll try not to be self-involved. And I’m dying to see this problem solved” are given life by the instrumental aesthetic that lets the feeling behind the words sink in. At about 2:40 the track flies into space with a psychedelic guitar solo that flips the track on its head as it dances with the spacey synths. It’s a moment that makes the chorus stick with you as it explodes into the trippy outro that leaves a pleasantly mind-bending impression.
The title track offers an easy lyrical flow that’s easy to get lost in. The ethereal vocals are buttery smooth and dance well with the equally smooth bassline. Cartier’s vocals take center stage and while they never become abrasive, lines such as “if I don’t believe what you want me to, you cut off my air to prove love is true” hit hard with both vocal and emotional power. It also helps that the drums pick up the tempo during these times to help with the impact of Cartier’s heartfelt words. It makes “The Love Insane” a memorable track with a catchy chorus that’s easy to start singing by the end of your first listen.
“Sick Tuna” serves up its attitude up front, with a catchy ska bop that’s hard to not move to. The playful melodies are easy to get lost in while the punchy lyrics take quick jabs every moment they get. Lines such as “I kissed you but you might have been sleeping, with that guy ya work with in the mall” hit like a slap each time you hear them and only add to the in-your-face nature of the track. Every line is filled with witty call-outs that are weaved into the sunny bops of the drums and the groovy bass along with a sax and dancing piano that only makes it harder to not dance to the music. While a brief track, “Sick Tuna” has an addictive beat that makes the repeat button feel magnetic.
The final track, “The Weirdo Blues,” ends things on a surreal note. The bassline has a hypnotic swing that cradles the pounding drums while the chaotic guitars and brass descend into madness. “The Weirdo Blues” takes the listener on a wild ride with its out-there musical aesthetic and sees Cartier adopt a psychedelic crooning to match. This vocal style hits the hardest at the ending refrain of “my Judas mind betrays me,” as it matches the swaying bassline to create an eerie feeling to make a memorable conclusion to the album.
“The Love Insane” is a psychedelic ride fueled by attitude and introspection. From the top, tracks such as “The Truth” and “Manifest” offer up powerful lyrics that hit hard, with both attitude and emotion. Others such as the title track offer a smooth groove that’s easy to get lost in while tracks such as “Sick Tuna” bring nothing but punchy high-energy tunes. Wabi Sabi offers up something for everyone on “The Love Insane” along with plenty of groovy tracks that are hard to not move to, making it an album that everyone should listen to at least once.
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