Grouplove is a charming five-piece with the aural aesthetic of a Foster the People from the nineties. Despite the fact that lots of people who like indie music despise Foster, it takes a concerted effort to not approve of Grouplove’s new release Never Trust a Happy Song. Their music isn’t epically composed, there’s the usual bass, drums, guitar and keyboard, but that is precisely what makes it so laid back and inviting. The first track, “Itchin’ on a Photograph” is a pretty effective, upbeat introduction. It’s got the clapping, the synth, the sure and steady baseline, and the listener’s first taste of lead singer Christian Zucconi’s gutteral, scratchy soprano.

The disco-esque beat of “Tongue Tied,” interspersed with male and female vocals make the lyrics “don’t leave me tongue tied” more universal and emotional without being cliché. It is the screeching of the lead singer and the rap injected two-thirds of the way through, however, that guides this track out of the realm of simple pop into the more specialized realm Grouplove is coming from.

“Lovely Cup,” a rock-ish track that’s easy to clap to, contains a repetition that doesn’t become bothersome, but helps to build the song up and make it more uplifting.

“Colours” is the star of the album: it’s twangy, powerful, and as striking as the spectrum itself. The repetition in this song makes it like a children’s clap game mixed with a just-plain-great pop song. This song is also successful philosophically. The lyrics in the chorus “It’s the color’s you have/ no need to be sad/ it really ain’t that bad,” invite the listener to observe and appreciate all the “Colours” life can offer, however disgusting or wonderful they may be. “We call it… life/ Oh yeah that’s what we call it/ We can’t call it at all.”

Not all of the tracks are wonderful. “Slow” was just repetitive, in a way that didn’t contribute to any sort of buildup. It’s the same level of intensity the whole time, and it becomes pretty disconcerting and monotonous.

“Naked Kids” is a childlike summer anthem full of voice doubling, handclapping, and descriptions of familiar summer images. It is also  a rap from female vocalist Hannah Hooper, “It’s summertime fun, relax and stay young, you could be home with Oprah Winfrey.”

The album closes with a free-wheeling, screamin-off-a-cliff track, “Close Your Eyes and Count To Ten.” Never has a boring anger management mantra sounded so freeing.

This album is highly recommended if you appreciate a band that’s not so much on the angst-y side of things. Grouplove’s Never Trust a Happy Song  is content with their own happiness and not afraid to show it.