Good Morning – ‘Good Morning Seven’ album review: A shimmering mirrorball too bright for a broken world
THE SKINNY: When we listen to new music, it’s easy to try to spin it into something beautiful. Even if we’re unsure at first, we actively look for the positives, celebrating the seemingly profound aspects even if they’re not so easy to find. With Good Morning’s new album, aptly titled Good Morning Seven, it’s difficult to tell whether its ethereal qualities are strong enough to warrant depth, or if it’s merely dressing for an otherwise hollow casket.
Good Morning Seven is gorgeous. That much is true. The vocals wash over you like a warm shower while the arrangements trickle by like rainwater on a window. It’s completely natural and welcoming, satisfying on the ear, warm to the touch and authentic in its presence. The sound alone serves a pleasant listening experience, almost reminiscent of a simpler time when appearance was everything, and the pretence of poeticism was enough of a personality trait to seem interesting.
Perhaps this is where the downfall becomes clear. Our folksy, DIY Australian duo know exactly what they’re doing, and music doesn’t always have to be weighty to be enjoyable. Good Morning Seven doesn’t need to face false expectations, it just is. The first day of spring has strong associations with lightheartedness and clarity, so why can’t this album?
Good Morning Seven does nothing to suggest anything other than its featherlight touches. We can’t mourn things we never had, and so the music should effectively speak for itself. The problem, however, becomes an issue with clarity – is the album lacking? Or are we looking at it in the right light? Maybe it’s difficult to put your finger on because it seems too much of a perfect addition to an inherently broken world. Therein lies its biggest problem: bliss doesn’t have to be ignorant.
For fans of: dreaming, travelling, seeking enlightenment through new experiences.
A concluding comment from a TikTok executive: “Our algorithms predict that at least one of these tracks will almost certainly go viral as the soundtrack to some blissed out dog that becomes a meme.”
Good Morning Seven track by track
Release date: March 22nd | Producer: Good Morning | Label: Polyvinyl
‘Arcade’: An album opener that builds suspense while offering a glimpse into the rest of the album is almost always the best approach, and ‘Arcade’ manages to pull this off from the beginning notes. ‘Arcade’ is textual and endearing while not giving too much away. [3.5/5]
‘Ahhhh (This Isn’t Ideal)’: One thing that Good Morning have always been able to do is make you feel like you’re in a movie. ‘Ahhhh (This Isn’t Ideal)’ is a boat ride; one that transports you back to a simpler, more romantic time. [3.5/5]
‘Monster Of The Week’: While the first two tracks ease you in, ‘Monster Of The Week’ picks up the page, adding additional layers of tasteful indie pop. [3/5]
‘As The Dogs Were Playing’: Good Morning are remarkably skilled in delicacy, even if the songs take on a darker tone. While ‘As the Dogs Were Playing’ still isn’t heavy, the song has a sharper feel, making it one of the most interesting songs on the entire album. [4/5]
‘The Worm Turns’: For the most part, Good Morning Seven is carried by its ethereal arrangements, but in ‘The Worm Turns’, the vocal leads the way, its endearing melody keeping it afloat. [3/5]
‘Dog Years’: Without the accompaniment of the rest of the album, ‘Dog Years’ would probably stand out more. It’s still pleasant, but somehow feels washed out by the other songs, forcing it into the shadows where it probably doesn’t belong. [2.5/5]
‘Queen Of Comedy’: While mid-album fatigue is definitely a thing, Good Morning seem to navigate it head-on, opting for a slower, more considered effort, which almost feels like a reverse psychology tactic. [2.5/5]
‘The Lake’: There’s a sense of experimentalism creeping in as we enter the second half of the LP. Undoubtedly, the duo were in the right mind when they crafted these songs: ‘The Lake’ offers an insight into their more trial and error processes while remaining an elegant and dignified addition. [3/5]
‘Diane Said’: Undeniably one of the album highlights, ‘Diane Said’ showcases vocal ability like no other song on the album, providing an ethereal sound that almost feels completely personal to the listener. [4/5]
‘One Night’: If listening on the right device, ‘One Night’ offers more layers than you might initially pick up on. Its various subtleties fill the room with a dancing ambience akin to a shimmering mirrorball. [4/5]
‘Excalibur’: A more acoustic approach ensures ‘Excalibur’ resonates with the more laid-back indie heads. This track is as relaxing in its delivery as the other tracks, and yet it yields more authenticity than its counterparts, likely due to the more noticeably raw vocal presentation. [3.5/5]
‘Real I’m Told’: This song is the feather dancing in the wind, reminding us that spring is here and better days are afoot. [3/5]
‘Just In Time’: Another movie score-esque tune, ‘Just In Time’ makes a strong case for the album’s substance, claiming to hold many more secrets than face-value aesthetics. [3.5/5]
‘Toy’: This track risks once again falling victim to the ‘Dog Years’ effect, wherein its slow beginning may fall short in mental stimulation and lose listener engagement. It’s another pleasant composition, but one where appearance beats personality. [2.5/5]
‘Jelly Legs’: While we gaze across the seafront carefully crafted by ‘Jelly Legs’, we’re reminded of the fact that we may feel worse off afterwards. However, the journey makes it worthwhile, even if the aftermath is filled with nothingness. [3/5]
‘Dogs On The Beach’: Sticking with the beach analogies, this track yet again fills your mind with the graceful swoosh of sea waves as relaxation washes over with unavoidable force. [3/5]
‘The Fear!’: Every good album closer reminds you why you hit ‘play’ in the first place. While it’s unclear which ‘The Fear!’ may go in at first, it proves to be worth your patience by the end. Any uncertainty we had in the beginning may still be there, but it leaves you wishing you had just a little bit more to help you understand where your reservations stemmed from. [3.5/5]
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