Goo Goo Dolls // Magnetic

Goo Goo Dolls return this June with their new album ‘Magnetic’. Fresh, upbeat and still catchy as hell, I made a bet with myself I could write a review on ‘Magnetic’ without mentioning THE song. You know, THE song. But just like the majestic beauty of ‘Iris’ (there, I said it. Bet lost), every track is as always-on-the-tip-of-your-tongue-catchy and full of music magic. Over 10 years later, the Goo Goo Dolls are STILL creating music where every track could become the nation’s anthem in seconds. Track 1, ‘Rebel Beat’ is an instant hit, which despite being true to the Goo Goo Dolls sound, is so 2013. I can imagine it going very far in the Top 40; it even has a hint of Taylor Swift’s ‘We are never getting back together’ vibe to it - trust me, it works! Track ‘Last Hot Night’ is 3 and half minutes of lead singer John Rzeznik’s purrs and growls into the mic, accompanied by classic rock drums, which make you, no FORCE YOU to put the top down on your car and drive to the beach in the summer sun. You know when you hear a song and you go “Oh my god, that album WAS my summer ‘06” or along those lines. A few years down the line, everybody will hear ‘Come to Me’ or ‘Slow it Down’ and say that ‘Magnetic’ was the summer album of 2013. Guaranteed. 

8/10 Freja Hoskins