"We yearn to shine a light in the world, to uplift, connect and bring people together,” said the Chili Peppers in a collective statement heralding their latest album. “Each of the songs on our new album is a facet of us, reflecting our view of the universe. This is our life’s mission.”
The Chili Peppers collective is now minus guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, who parted company amicably with the group, with John Frusciante replacing his own replacement to play with the band for the first time since 2006. Rick Rubin, meanwhile, with whom Klinghoffer did not always get along creatively, is reinstalled as producer. And, while the 17 songs of Unlimited Love do not always quite live up to the incandescence of their mission statement, there is nonetheless an undercurrent of playfulness and joy at the emergence from pandemic and the reuniting old buddies back jamming in the same room.
That said, the album begins on a sombre note with Frusciante’s playing wistfully reminiscent of very late Hendrix, a reflection, perhaps, on the bushfires that swept through Australia in 2020, which would have felt close to home to Australia-born bassist Flea.
