Review Summary: Here's to September.
Cult of Love is an album that's not afraid to show its influences on its sleeve. Essentially a surf-pop album, Art Imperial lay a tapestry of Summer sunsets at the beach, a good time with a slightly sinister edge. The opening title track is pure Beach Boys, with sunny melodies and a rockabilly-ish feel to it that never loses its groove. "Good Times" is just as the name implies; "She" finds Art Imperial channeling The Boy's vocal harmonies that really shine beautifully. In an age where surf has collided with indie in some weird nostalgic hemisphere (Surfer Blood, Wavves, Dirty Beaches, etc.) Art Imperial find themselves right in the middle of it all.
Cult of Love won't break any artistic barriers down, but it sure is a fun, sunny ride, with a little snippet of sadness lying somewhere in there.
The winner here is "Unlock Your Love", which slows the tempo down and allows the reverb and surf-y melodies wash over you. The song harkens back to the emotional
Funeral by Arcade Fire, with its memorable hooks and heartfelt introspection.
I'm on the path to find the right one / So I can drink to my youth / Until I unlock my love. Most of
Cult of Love is in the same vein making it feel like a statement album yet that never really states anything cathartic. It's dense, layered, occasionally subtle and beautiful, but most of all
Cult of Love is just another Summer going by, as quickly as it came it will flame out. Here's to September.
