Get Well Soon is a vehicle for the talents of German singer, songwriter and instrumentalist Konstantin Gropper. A deep-thinker, his previous three releases – which have garnered critical acclaim in the mainstream press – have been influenced by folk, classical music and film soundtracks.
By way of contrast, Love echoes pop references, with Gropper fuelling his latest effort with a diet of Tom Petty, Marvin Gaye, Pet Shop Boys, Prefab Sprout, early R.E.M. and Fleetwood Mac.
The result is a multifaceted, indie collection that is a veritable musical box of subtle reference points. Vocally, Gropper’s warm tones would not be out of place with the likes of Damon Gough, Richard Hawley, and Guy Garvey. And his songs would be in equally good company.
A rich and diverse collection, Love works well as a pleasing sonic accompaniment to life, but best when its careful construction and multitudinous nuances are purposefully considered and absorbed.
Never abrasive on the ear, and never overtly derivative, there’s a huge amount going on and the set is exquisitely constructed and delivered. Love doesn’t so much drag you in with kiss me quick promises, but seduce you with its riches which are only fully revealed with repeated plays.
Pop music of the most considered kind, Love is unquestionably a release for the ‘thinking’ man (and woman), and one that can only enhance Gropper’s growing reputation. As for widespread acclaim, Love is unquestionably deserving of it, but it’s more likely that UK sales will rack up exclusively to a subset of Guardian subscribers. ****
Review by Pete Whalley
Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK
Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.
In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.
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UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 29 October 2024.
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Power Plays w/c 11 November 2024
ARCANE MOON Hello Sun (indie)
S8NT ELEKTRIC XTC (Long Branch Records)
ARCANA KINGS Here We Go (Curtain Call Records)
KLOGR face The Unknown (Zeta Factory)
BEYOND UNBROKEN Dance With The Dead (FiXT)
REVENGIN Decadent Feeling (Wormholedeath)
Featured Albums w/c 11 November 2024
09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Rock)
12:00-13:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Melodic Hard Rock)
14:00-16:00 The Best of 2003-2023 (Singer Songwriter)
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