Since their 2012 inception, The Guru Guru are a band that has always had a connection to art rock and with their third album Make (Less) Babies out October 27, the Belgium based band continue that connection to art and continue to defy the norm.
The Guru Guru has torn up the rulebook of indie-maths-psycho-noise to create something truly unique with their signature blend of frenzied guitars, multiple rhythms, manic vocals, and infectious beats for Make (Less) Babies.
On the album, guitarist Emiel Van Den Abbeele says
Making the album was much more intense this time than with previous albums. Especially since we took everything into our own hands. The writing process was also different from previous times (Covid and the multiple lockdowns had something to do with this). But that made it interesting for everyone. For example, I came up with the idea of a ‘Guroulette’ because we were not allowed to be together due to Covid. Each musician records a musical idea at home on their own instrument that is passed on to the next in line. By repeating this with all band members you have five new songs after five rounds. In this way, each musician had already put his vision and emotion into the music in his own way. This gives a different depth to the songs.
That creative control shines in tracks like “Lemon-Aid, Lemon Cell (Bear Dance)” and “In 2073 (Plenty of Other Fish in the Sea)”. It also allowed the band to be unapologetically authentic, with no compromises or external pressures. Recording the album live at Farrm studio in Hasselt, Belgium, the band captured their raw energy and sound, offering listeners an organic, unadulterated experience.
The thematic undercurrent of Make (Less) Babies is socially critical, exploring the destructive path humanity is on, driven by the ever-powerful force of money. The album touches on topics like climate change, the relentless information flow through new media, inequality, and the urgent need for nature reserves in our oceans. The album’s title track, ‘Make (Less) Babies,’ even provides tips and tricks for a better future for our planet and ourselves.
The Guru Guru’s music is not just a listening experience; it’s a journey into the realms of consciousness. It’s a provocative, engaging, and thought-provoking exploration of the world around us, wrapped in tight grooves, wailing guitars, and magnet lyrics.
In a musical landscape often mired in convention, The Guru Guru offers an exhilarating escape. Make (Less) Babies is more than an album, it’s a manifesto and a celebration of artistic freedom, and a commentary on our times.
MUST LISTEN TRACKS: “Jack Shit/Jackpot” “Lemon-Aid, Lemon-Cell (Bear Dance)”, “Make Less Babies”
FAVOURITE TRACKS: “Make Less Babies”, “Lotta Tension”, “Joke’s On You (Under Over)”
