Grove Takes A Shot At Deadbeat Partners In New Track Ur Boyfriend’s Wack

That's The One: Grove | Bristol

If anyone were to hit me with a dildo, I’d want it to be Grove.

In their third single, Ur Boyfriend’s Wack, the fresh, Bristol-based, multidisciplinary talent exudes unapologetic sensuality while displaying different facets of their gender fluid identity.

Releasing the new track alongside a beautifully comedic video, the visuals actively shame deadbeat boyfriends (hitting them with the sex toys that bring their partners more joy than all their pitiful attempts at romance).

Sitting in the realm between the hyperpop of PC Music and early 90s jungle records, Grove’s breathy vocal cadence is reminiscent of artists such Shygirl. In Grove’s own words "Ur Boyfriend’s Wack is part satire about wack boyfriends who do The Bare Minimum, part informed by the experience of rejecting my own sexuality when younger, with the hook, “Sittin’ in the dark, palms pressed to her eyes, can’t stop thinking ‘bout the girl, no I can’t stop thinking, thinking”.

Ur Boyfriend’s Wack is part satire about wack boyfriends who do The Bare Minimum, part informed by the experience of rejecting my own sexuality when younger

Although this shame is sure to resonate with a lot of queer listeners, all hope is not lost with the hook ‘connection starts with the eye contact’ revealing the intimacy that is possible when you let go of the internalised shame that is a side-effect of growing up in a culture that is inherently homophobic. “It is a steezy reclaiming of pride in that queerness, and departing the space where shame was part and parcel of my lived experience.” It is these bold statements of being unashamedly queer whilst shaming the low standards heterosexual men seem to relish in not rising above that makes Grove such an inspiring act.

On a visual side, there is so much to love about the new video that accompanies the track. Outfits are fierce. Beards are fluorescent and sharp. In those shades, Grove could cut you with a glance, and the decadence with which they eat strawberries is unrivalled, effortlessly transitioning between masculine and feminine energies. Societal expectations of gender norms have no place here, suggested by one of the main opening shots of them appearing to squat and piss on the street in a corseted silk pink dress, matching o-ring collar, and furry heeled boots.

Following their two previous releases Big Poppa and Sticky, Ur Boyfriend’s Wack is another perfect example of exemplary bold queerness from an amazing act that is just getting warmed up.

Ur Boyfriend’s Wack is out now. Listen here.

Photo credit: Luke Tubbs