Up Up Up – Givers

The endlessly-sunny brand of indie bayou rock from GIVERS (@giversmusic) was made for the summer months, and In Light is definitely giving me something to smile about. The album opens with single “Up Up Up”, which encapsulates what the group’s music is about. With crunked-out, fuzzy bass to compliment the cutting brightness of frontman Taylor Guarisco’s gypsy guitar, this track will be an instant favorite.

“Meantime”, the album’s second track, was put through some changes from the version that appeared on their eponymous EP. Replacing a latin-piano breakdown with pulsating synths, GIVERS are moving their sound out of the garage and closer to the dance club. This song also features some of my favorite vocal moments on the entire album. Taylor Guarisco and Tif Lamson have their voices break and crack in unison, which makes me feel completely joyful. “Saw You First”, though, brings the album’s feel back from heavy synth with it’s acoustic guitar intro. Another canvas for Guarisco and Lamson to paint their harmonies in wide swaths, this track will endear itself to you in no time.

The next handful of tracks are a further exploration of GIVERS’ driving sound. Soaring harmonies and percussion jams characterize the majority of the album and are definitely the centerpieces of later tracks. While the album loses a bit of momentum in the middle due to less variation in song structure, the music is still an incredible amount of fun. The guitar lick that introduces “Ripe” is addictive as hell.

Overall, In Light is an endlessly fun, shiny album. Playful in their instrumental expression, passionate in their vocal delivery, and curious in their songwriting structure, GIVERS have provided an LP that is as unique as it is instantly familiar. If you’re looking for a nice comedown after a Dirty Projectors kick, lend GIVERS your ear.