The year was 2016 when we last got a Red Hot Chili Peppers. Their newest release, Unlimited Love, welcomes seventeen (!) new tracks and the return of longtime, off and on guitarist, John Frusciante!
I know prior to the album’s release I reviewed three of the four singles put out to promote Unlimited Love, so I stand by what I said about those songs. “Black Summer” and “Poster Child” were both pretty great but for completely different reasons. “Black Summer” represents a sound that I love most from the band, while “Poster Child” really sinks its teeth into their more groovy elements. Both super enjoyable to listen to, but also crazy to comprehend that they exist on the same record. Perhaps the same thing could be said for most of the rest of the tracks off the new album. Overall though, it gave off a much more groovy vibe compared to what I’m used to listening to from them. Either way, a good adventure.
“Black Summer” might be the song to beat, but boy did several others come close! “Here Ever After” is at the top of that list, and I challenge you to listen to it just one time without it immediately getting stuck in your head. It reminded me a little bit of “Can’t Stop,” in the way that the lyrics were presented. Other really great tracks off the record include, “She’s a Lover,” “These Are the Ways” (another single that was the last to be dropped), “Whatchu Thinkin,” and “Bastards of Light.” These are were really upbeat and infectious songs that had me joining in on the chorus right away. “She’s a Lover” is also where you’ll find the lyrics to the album’s title, Unlimited Love.
There were only a couple of tracks on this record that I could never picture myself playing again, but that doesn’t mean you won’t like them. “Veronica” and “White Braids & Pillow Chair,” were almost downright painful to listen to. They just didn’t have anything remarkable to them, and in these instances, Kiedis’ vocals weren’t doing them any favors. The rest of the songs off the record were all pretty decent, but I think they would require another listen or two for any of them to stick. Overall though, a pretty solid, and very long, track list. And while most of the record gave off a groovy vibe, it really felt like there was something for everyone. Kiedis applies his signature rapping to several songs, and a welcome appearance is made by the trumpet, which I’d have to assume Flea recorded. It’s cool to hear them include different sounds after being around all this time.
If you’re a Red Hot Chili Peppers fan, don’t sleep on this new music. And if you’re even more lucky, jump on some tickets to one of their upcoming tour dates. Having seen them twice before, I promise it is worth it.