Just Friends Displays Multi-Genre Talent with New Album 'Gusher'

Written by Connor Miller

Gusher is the perfect description of Just Friends’ new album, a sweet explosive experience. Just Friends as a band truly does not fit into a singular genre. With elements of emo, funk, rock, disco, and punk at the same time, Just Friends imagines their own genre. This mixture of sound culminates into songs that include blaring horn sections over dramatic emo vocalization, creating a sound that is truly sublime. 

Forming in 2013 out of Dublin, California, Just Friends was created through recruiting fellow classmates from their highschool bands. The roots of the band help describe the auditory element of their creative endeavors. Having angsty vocals with bittersweet lyrics, the band gives a sentimental punch that sounds like it could only be created through true friendship, and Gusher as an album does exactly that.

The album begins with the upbeat chant of “Zaza In The Sun: -).” Characterized by shouting horn sections and rough vocals, it is very similar to Just Friends' sound that listeners are familiar with. However, this should not deceive one to believe in a lack of variability on their new album. The band continues to push the envelope on genre, with songs such as “Love Bug” and “I Miss You, Bitch” alternating between different soundscapes depending on which part of the song’s structure one listens to. 

What makes this genre blending come to fruition is not only the extremely tight instrumentation provided from the band but also from the two vocalists, Sam Kless and Brianda Goyos León. Kless’ voice has great range, being able to provide a sweet jingle-like voice all the way to a powerful raspy shout which fits very well during sections of emotional grit. Kless provides substantial structure to the band through his varying timbre. On the same note, León provides great contrast to Kless, being able to sound expressive while acting as a powerhouse in regard to a beautiful tone. “Clown On You” is the perfect example of their variability, starting somewhat mellow and evolving into an emotional shout section which depicts lyrics of joking around with a significant other. 

For those who tend to prefer funk over rock, “1-800-SEXY” is outlined by an in your face melody coupled with great vocal syncopation from Kless and León. For those who fall more into the emo category, “Life I’m Living In” has distinctly whiny vocals with which any fan of the genre will truly resonate. “Better 2 Be Around” is one of the songs that is more emotional on the album, specifically with the somber lyrical chant of “wish I was better to be around.” As a highlight to Just Friends musicianship, the bass line on “5th Dimension” is extremely tight, sounding like it was played by Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea himself. 

When thinking of this album as a whole, the first thing that comes to mind is range. Being able to tackle all the facets of music that they tried their hands at, Just Friends brings an element of completion to the table with Gusher. Every song sounds meaningful and powerful, something that is rare to find. Ending the album with the track “U & Me,” Just Friends makes an abrupt exit on a song that is simply acoustic guitar and vocals. The album ends without finishing the chordal structure of the song paired with the lyrics, “You and me were always meant to be / But no, you go,” giving an ephemeral feel to the experience of a full listen. This album encapsulates the feeling of nostalgia in the best way possible.