The catchy first track on ALO’s seventh studio set draws the listener straight into the bliss that is Frames. Boasting a depth of emotion behind stellar guitar riffs and smooth, sultry vocals, the entire album has a fresh-yet-nostalgic vibe. Animal Liberation Orchestra, as the California foursome is also known, includes bassist Steve Adams, keyboardist Zach Gill, guitarist Dan “Lebo” Lebowitz and drummer Ezra Lipp. Opener “Blank Canvas,” written by Gill, sets the stage for the entire collection with its feel-good energy, full of optimism and adventure. “Sonically and thematically, it felt like the perfect beginning. Bare and vulnerable, yet full of possibility,” Adams has said. The album is both a professional and personal commentary. With its retro groove and rhythmic guitar riffs, the deeper message behind the third song, “Space Between Frames,” is a crucial reminder to hit pause and take inventory. The light-hearted album closer, “Friends,” leans into the joy and simplicity of good friendships and how vital those human interactions are to happiness. ALO has been, and still is, a band that enjoys playing, performing and creating together. Frames is a tightly woven collection of meaningful lyrics mixed with dance floor beats and expansive rock jams. The LP is a much-needed respite from the chaos of the world around us.