The Joy Formidable - Aaarth

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World music turned into Alternative Grunge / Rock

The Joy Formidable are a band that we have been keeping an eye on for quite some time at Music Trespass Magazine, so we were really happy when we received a copy of their brand new album 'Aaarth'. I always liked the way they cross so many genres Grunge, Indie, Alternative Rock, Folk Rock and even some weird World music influences. 'Aaarth' from a first look, is a nice designed album. The artwork is very interesting and really suites the bands ethos, so I think people that would like them would take one look at it and think the record is worth a punt.

The album starts of with the tribal beats and chanting of 'Y'Bluen Eira', which has killer strange guitar sounds backed with Electronic sounds. Verging on a strange Smashing Pumpkins meets Royal Blood type of sound, mixed with sharp knives type sounds and alarm sounding sounds as the track goes on. The vocals are haunting like Queen Adreena, while the track is still very commercial but way out there at the same time. The album continues with 'The Wrong Side', a track that has been doing the rounds on social media outlets. It has an nice flowing American sounding chorus to it, and I love the out of time guitar sounds and the little added instruments in the mix.

Sometimes the repetitive undertow does get a little annoying, but maybe it is meant to continue the feel of chanting... that they gave in the first track. You can hear elements of mid era Foo Fighters in the mix too. Which is something they must have picked up in recent years, but I am not sure I like so much. 'Go Loving' the third track on the album, has a build up sound to it... which I think would go down well when they play live. I really like the piano bits at the end of the track, which I think makes the song stand out more. 'Cicada (Land on your Back)' comes out World and Folk music, and again continues the chanting vibe / feel of the record.

'All in All' starts off like a children's music box or nursery rhyme, with really soft vocals that are haunting and dark at the same time. But all giving you hints of the past, as the Glockenspiel chimes. 'What For' starts with a boxing ring intro, before it goes straight into a Smashing Pumpkins Esq. Alternative Rock song. I like this song, it sounds like a lot of the work of the previous band I mentioned... which I really love. Next up on the album is the single 'The Better Me', which you can see the video for at the bottom of this review. This track has a Middle Eastern vibe to it, and is quieter than singles the band have released before. I have to say I am not sure I would have picked this one as the single, I think their is better tracks on the album.

'Absence' is a track I think I have heard before at the end of a film recently, but for the life of me I can't remember what film. But it was an epic picture, and this is a really nice haunting epic song. I really like 'Dance of the Lotus' and think it's one of the strongest tracks on the album, so am so surprised it's so late on the album... but maybe it just felt right in that place. I just hope that people listen long enough to hear it, but I think most people that would listen to a record by The Joy Formidable would listen to the end. 'Dance of the Lotus' has so many great elements to it, and is a great Alternative Rock tune. For me 'You Can't give Me' is a little of a filler that might have been better as a B-Side, but maybe they wanted to calm things down before you get to closer 'Caught on a Breeze'.

As a closing song 'Caught on a Breeze' does it's job, it's the rawkus sound I like to hear from The Joy Formidable... with this new found Royal Blood taste that you heard earlier in the album. I think 'Aaarth' is a very interesting record, that I think I will like the more I listen to it. It might even be a future classic, but sometimes albums like this don't really get the praise they should until years after they are first released. So maybe only time will tell, if 'Aaarth' will become a classic album.

Review by Dan Devour

Check Out! the Video for 'The Better Me' Below...