While GROUPLOVE’s new self-titled EP is slated for the ice-covered release date of January 25, its tracks fit more into the pleasant realm of beaches and sunburns than with falling snow and wind chill. Considering the recent freeze that has hit the Northeast, I’m more than happy for a mental vacation with some of these stellar tracks.

The feeling of spontaneity and excitement that runs through the EP isn’t surprising given the turn of events that led to GROUPLOVE’s formation. With simple good-luck, excellent timing, and a desire for adventure, each member traveled to a remote town on Crete for an art residency. Once there, New Yorkers Hannah Hooper and Christian Zucconi met Sean Gadd from London and Andrew Wessen and Ryan Rabin from Los Angeles. While the residency eventually ended, and the five members went back to their respective homes, the fire to create music with each other never died. Soon, the members found themselves in LA recording and performing on a more permanent basis.

On the EP, Songs “Gold Coast” and “Naked Kids” are certainly the lighter of the group’s tracks. Beaming with the thrill of summer, they pay tribute to a lifestyle that beach-lovers would be proud of. Even with their frivolous themes, though, the striking guitar riff running through “Gold Coast” and the harmonies in “Naked Kids” give them a good deal of musical substance. In fact, the long, building instrumental section that ends “Gold Coast” is likely my favorite piece on the EP.

Perhaps the cold weather is affecting my judgment, but I found myself most attracted to “Getaway Car”, probably the darkest track that GROUPLOVE recorded. With layered vocals, heavier hitting bass and drums, and an overall richness and intensity, this song absolutely stands out in its depth and fullness.

An accent seen throughout most of the tracks is the band’s use of layered vocals from all of its members. Going beyond a simple harmony, the incorporation of the rest of the band into the vocal arrangements does a lot to create a sense of unity in the music and how it’s created.  Zucconi says in the song “Don’t Say Oh Well”, “I told my bandmates, they are my soulmates”, and this sentiment is certainly believable based on how the songs are put together and the energy they emanate. With a range from deeper themes to lighter melodies, this band is definitely the first to really catch my attention in 2011.