Van Go – Everyone Loves You When You’re Gone

After hearing the latest from Van Go, Everybody Loves You When You’re Gone, I’m left wondering how I hadn’t heard their music earlier. A dynamic rhythm section, killer hooks and emotive vocals make Everyone Loves You one of the best surprises of 2018.

Once you hear “Nightwalker” or “Tell Us How You Really Feel”, their Chicago roots become obvious. You can hear the Material Issue influence immediately. Listen to the latter of the two and close your eyes. The vocal delivery will make you think of the late, great Jim Ellison.

If you had told me that I’d be humming along to a song called “Schrodinger’s Cat”, I would have called you nuts. But here I am, doing exactly that.

Propelled by chiming guitars and a thunderous drum beat, “The Grim Life” is a lyrically dark, pop gem. In the title track, the guitars create a wonderfully textured soundscape. The chorus is a monster hook. Even the lone cover song on the album, Paul Collins’ “Walking Out On Love”, is nothing short of a party for the senses.

Van Go’s Everyone Loves You When You’re Gone is one of the best power pop albums of the year. It’s big. It’s bold. It’s catchy as Hell. Get your CD copy of Everyone Loves You When You’re Gone exclusively from Kool Kat Musik. For the digital version, go to the band’s Bandcamp page.