THUS LOVE: All Pleasure [Album Review]

THUS LOVE
All Pleasure
Captured Tracks [2024]

“With All Pleasure, THUS LOVE redefines their post-punk, balancing intensity with melodic warmth.”

Album Overview: Formed in Brattleboro, Vermont, THUS LOVE made an impact with their post-punk debut, Memorial. Originally a trio, the group’s lineup and sound shifted after bassist Nathaniel van Osdol’s departure. They welcomed new members—bassist Ally Juleen and guitarist/keyboardist Shane Blank, who even moved to Vermont to join the band. This fresh lineup marked a period of intense personal and musical growth as they began working on their second album, All Pleasure. Recorded in a rustic, converted barn studio affectionately called the “Hobbit Hole,” All Pleasure pulses with energy, and sounds like a new beginning for the band making music. With a fuller, more polished sound and a touch of UK-inspired mod pop, All Pleasure is an album that grows deeper with each listen.

Musical Style: On All Pleasure, THUS LOVE moves beyond their post-punk roots, embracing a bold, genre-mixing style that blends glam rock, punk, and alternative pop. The album exudes a gritty, dynamic intensity, woven with layered melodies and stylistic shifts. Their sound’s rawness is amplified by the minimalist production, which creates a live, immersive feel as if the listener is right there in the barn-studio.

Evolution of Sound: Expanding on the introspective, lush feel of Memorial, THUS LOVE explores louder, and a more blended territory in All Pleasure, bringing in expressive hooks and unexpected stylistic twists. The addition of new members Ally Juleen and Shane Blank brought fresh musical dynamics, allowing for a richer, more collaborative sound that pushes the band’s creative boundaries.

Artists with Similar Fire: Fans of bands like Savages and DIIV will find familiar yet exciting elements in All Pleasure, with touches of guitar-driven intensity similar to 60ft Dolls. THUS LOVE’s blend of melody and emotional depth lines up well with artists like The Auteurs and The Cure, while also incorporating a controlled, modern twist on mod rock reminiscent of The Jam or The Chords. The album also holds plenty of contemporary post-punk energy, with moments that echo the spirit of Fontaines D.C. and Shame.

Pivotal Tracks: Key tracks on All Pleasure include “Birthday Song,” an upbeat, grunge-infused anthem that captures a sense of communal celebration, and “Get Stable,” a high-energy punk-pop track that addresses existential themes. The title track, “All Pleasure,” showcases Echo and Ally harmonizing in a powerful tribute to the joy of uninhibited creative expression. Another standout, “House on the Hill,” takes a stark, post-punk approach to explore the emptiness of a social media-driven life. Additionally, the piano-centered “Face to Face” reveals a completely different side of the band, adding a reflective mid-album moment.

Lyrical Strength: The lyrics on All Pleasure are honest, contemplative, and relevant, delving into themes of belonging, self-discovery, and digital-age disconnection. Echo Mars and Ally Juleen’s writing confronts life’s complexities with vivid, straightforward language that resonates emotionally. The lyrics blend personal reflection with social critique, providing a thoughtful counterpoint to the fast pace of contemporary life and inviting listeners to share in their pursuit of joy through creative expression.

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