Poor Luke Temple. The shape shifting frontman of Brooklyn indie rockers Here We Go Magic released a solo album, Good Mood Fool, to little notice last month. The soulful, eclectic collection of songs was well-received critically, but it made little splash commercially. It’s a shame that Temple’s record didn’t get the same treatment as HWGM’s much-hyped releases because it’s on par with the band’s best work.
Temple has said Good Mood Fool is “the favorite thing I’ve made so far” and it’s easy to see why. The record allows him to explore territory — electo-funk, blues and reggae — that potentially wouldn’t jibe with Here We Go Magic’s aesthetic. One of the album’s highlights, “Florida,” is certainly an excursion from HWGM. And a good one, at that. Over a stout bassline, Temple sings a soulful tune lamenting a friend’s drug addiction. Despite the grim topic, “Florida” has a warm, comforting vibe and a killer chorus to top things off.
Luke Temple’s Good Mood Fool is out now via Secretly Canadian.