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Reviews

Lovebugs — OverLoved
(Apollon Records AP154, 2024, CD / LP / DL)

by Jon Davis, Published 2024-08-30

OverLoved Cover art

As it happened, I got this album by Lovebugs only two days after the news broke that Angela McCluskey had died. McCluskey was a wonderful singer who never quite got the attention she deserved, with a distinctive voice and a knack for writing intelligent songs. The reason I bring this up is because when I first gave OverLoved a spin, my first thought was, “Wow, that singer really sounds like Angela McCluskey!” So maybe that initial reaction colors my view of this music, but I still think this is a mighty fine album. The group has been around more than 20 years, though this is only their second album. The first, Love Bugs Me, came out in 2007, and then various life events intervened, but we’re fortunate they decided to give it another go. Christina Amundsen (drums, percussion), Monica Amundsen (guitar, vocals), Silje Stubø Solstad (keyboards, vocals), Alis Lund-Johansen (vocals), and Live J. Bruseth (bass) have a sound that is a winning combination of power pop and jangly folk-rock with some hints of psychedelia. These eleven tracks are full of catchy melodies, tasty arrangements, and good vibes, from the bouncy “na-na’s” of “Circus” to the moody “na-na’s” of “Leaving” — I guess they like the “na-na’s,” but it makes for nice singalong sections. In between we get a rhythmic diversion in “Bossanova,” a country-inflected rave-up in “If I Go South,” and the rocking energy of the title track. On most tracks, it is acoustic instruments that provide the core of the sound, and they all feature outstanding harmony vocals — and even a touch of Mellotron if you’re into that sort of thing. It’s a bit like Bangles met up with Wild Colonials and decided to try their luck with a folk-rock style. Any lover of tasty music with great singing and smart songwriting should check out Lovebugs.

Filed under: New releases, 2024 releases

Related artist(s): Lovebugs

More info
http://lovebugsnor.bandcamp.com/album/overloved

 

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