In a world where angst and heartbreak seem to dominate the airwaves, Ziggy Alberts has bravely taken a sharp left turn with his seventh studio album, New Love. No, he hasn’t undergone a drastic lifestyle change or swapped his guitar for a DJ deck; instead, he’s gifted us an auditory vacation that feels like a sun-soaked road trip along the Australian coast—complete with a surfboard strapped to the roof and a cooler full of organic juice.
From the opening track, “Flowers Bathed in Sunlight,” Ziggy invites us into his world of blissful simplicity, where every note is as breezy as a morning breeze through palm trees. It’s almost as if he’s saying, “Who needs existential dread when you can have a melody that feels like a gentle hug?” His lyrical themes tackle serious topics like self-discovery and second chances, but in a way that makes you want to sip coconut water while lounging on a beach towel.
Sure, he tosses in some heavier concepts—like, you know, the “Responsibility of the Dreamer”—but he balances it out with feel-good gems like “Learn Yourself,” where he apparently advocates for finding joy in nature instead of scrolling through your phone. (Who knew reconnecting with the great outdoors could be so groundbreaking?) The accompanying music video, showcasing Ziggy catching waves and soaking up the sun, is basically a tourism ad for Hawaii—eat your heart out, travel influencers!
As for the production, it’s delightfully raw. Co-produced with Garrett Kato, it embraces the charm of imperfection. Picture your favorite indie coffee shop: warm, inviting, a little noisy, and just the right amount of clutter. That’s New Love—it feels like you’re sitting right there in the studio with Ziggy, strumming along, maybe even accidentally spilling your artisanal latte.
The album does have a cinematic quality that begs to be played front-to-back—because who could resist the irresistible pull of a mood-changing track order? Side A lulls you into a tranquil bliss, while Side B cranks up the energy (and perhaps spontaneous beach dance parties) with its rock-and-country vibes. It’s a perfect encapsulation of life: a little chaos, a little magic, and a whole lot of fun.
So let’s raise a glass to Ziggy Alberts and New Love, the soundtrack to the summer we didn’t know we needed. Sure, some might argue it’s too cheery or too wholesome, but let’s be honest—when was the last time you felt genuinely happy listening to a song about self-love and adventure? So go ahead, hit play, and remember: life is too short to wallow in heartbreak when you can dance barefoot in the sand. Cheers to that!
–Raymond Boss
