Australian Stars THE RUBENS New Album "Lo La Ru" Out Now

Currently one of Australia’s best Rock bands by far, although The Rubens have stayed true to their unique, critically acclaimed sound that grabbed people’s attention on singles like “My Gun” and “Hoops” from their previous bodies of work, they have now thrown a Gospel influence in there, delivered on their new album “Lo La Ru,” a genre which the talented 5-piece were bound to experiment with considering lead singer Sam Margin’s smoky and raspy yet smooth and genuinely emotional vocals, that when reaching his higher register reminds us of The Killers’ Brandon Flower’s powerful, church voice.  “Lo La Ru” begins with the use of a Wurlitzer leading to a clean-sounding acoustic guitar performing closed chords under Sam’s laid back voice, a nicely composed build-up to the biggest set of Electro drums, which includes military snares in the second verse. It is an overall “well done” piece of production which puts an instant smile on your face for the get go, specifically the middle 8 section where The Rubens’ lead singer gets his moment to show-off his higher register and delivers stunning backing vocals with so much feeling that you find yourself singing along with him.

Margin’s voice goes in a more “rapping” style direction on Track 2 “Go On,” a song that borders on Alternative Hip-Hop almost, while still keeping the Rock elements via slick electric rhythm guitar parts, while Track 3 “I know” moves into a more Soul Pop vibe, with a “stand-out” bass line, effected with a little delay, rhythmically similar to Drake’s 2013 hit single “Hold On, We’re Going Home,” a vocal performance reminiscent of John Mayer when he sings in his lower register, and guitar riffs masterfully performed in the vein of Gnarls Barkley. “Never Ever,” a duet with fellow Australian singer Sarah Adams, is one of Lo La Ru’s most memorable moments, as Rough Online were captivated by Sarah’s distinctive voice, where Sia meets Cher Lloyd with a touch of Rihanna-esque phrasing. The song opens with a honly-tonk style keyboard, and slowly moves into a clean piano sound, an overall beautiful vibe, throwing us back to Rihanna’s 2013 ballad with Mikky Ekko “Stay.” It percussively builds up from the second chorus, where xylophones and light drum programming eventually drop in, making it a musically unusual piece. It is most definitely one of Rough Online’s personal favourites from Lo La Ru, a song which ends with the comedic line “I think you broke my fucking heart.”

“Freakout” is the moment where their new album’s Gospel influence begins, with the use of a group vocal acapella introduction, haunting “humming” backing vocals supporting Sam’s lead and a middle 8 section reminiscent of Macy Gray’s choir moment on her 2000 classic “Still,” while Track 6 “God Forgot” takes their new found Gospel sound to the next level with the use of people clapping to keep tempo and to replace a “real” snare, in which you are automatically taken to church via a loud brass section of trumpets performing the catchy melodies at the forefront with Margin’s slick singing. “Woman oh woman” delivers one of the catchiest bridge sections Rough Online have heard in a very long time, leading up to an unforgettable chorus, which sends you into the throwback Popular music style of The Bees Gees, where Soul Pop meets Indie Rock on this occasion. Sam takes on a similar yet less nasally voice to Maroon 5’s Adam Levine on a more chilled number entitled “Casper” which delivers a dreamy, Pop Rock vibe with the use of glockenspiels in its’ final chorus to put it further into that “Poppy,” radio-friendly direction, a piece of music which stands out from the rest of their new portfolio. However, “Lo La Ru” flips back to The Rubens’ catchy melodies on the banger “So So,” that showcases one of the album’s most memorable lyrical hooks “you gotta act a little older, be a little bolder, acting like a soldier.” You are sent into the realm of will.i.am, specifically his 2008 single featuring Cheryl Cole “Heartbreaker” via a space-like synth on the song “Mary,” a Soul Ballad-type song, both melodically and rhythmically reminiscent of Lemar’s 2004 smash-hit “If There’s Any Justice.” Track 11 “Teeth” throws multiple hi-hats in there, similar to the drum programming on Kelis’s 2004 Synth-Funk banger “Millionaire,” to speed things up a little bit before Lo La Ru’s finale, whilst cleverly remaining in the realm of Arcade Fire’s slightly melancholic sound, specifically on their 2010 album “The Suburbs.”

While we think that “All My Dollars,” which showcases “Joni Mitchell”-esque closed piano chords at the end of each verse section and experiments with tempo changes is the track that will put this intriguing body of work to a close, The Rubens decide to throw a last minute after thought in there entitled “Young Me,” another personal favourite of Rough Online, and a more down-beat style song consisting of a very atmospheric electro beat, a church organ and a gorgeous melody which could have easily been written with Coldplay’s Chris Martin in mind, delivered in one of Sam Margin’s best vocal performances from the entire album. It is the greatest throwback to David Gray’s “White Ladder” era that we needed to put The Rubens’ musically fearless new release to a close. “Lo La Ru” is most definitely one of the albums that has stood out the most for Rough Online this year so far and we highly recommend you download and stream your copy now from all online stores.