The Joy Formidable were the first band to break my personal insistence that “rock sounds crap with a female vocalist”. Although Metric came incredibly close, TJF managed to finally convert me back in 2008, with a number of exceptional releases such as Austere and Whirring, so, this review here is confirmation, if ever you needed it, that the musical tastes of Sam Davis have expanded somewhat (not just a lover of Scottish rock bands any more…..)
Anywhow, with this new found open-ness, I gave their “A Balloon Called Moaning” EP a listen in 2008, and I fully enjoyed what I heard. A simply brilliant piece of musical artistry. A rocky, thought provoking and exceptionally listenable record. If I had bought it on cassette, my tape deck would have chewed it to death by now, and if it was on CD, I think it’d be scratched to pieces, as I took it everywhere with me.
The vocals of Ritzy Bryan are just amazing. Seeing her and her band in Portsmouth was extremely special, however it did leave me wanting more, so thankfully, it was followed up with their first main release called “A Big Roar” – an intimate listen, which has vigor, energy, but a closeness that is somewhat unique for a debut record.
So, with the rockyness of the band being their forte, it was a massive massive surprise to hear the track called “Wolf’s Law” – a stripped down and acoustic track which culminates in a shoegazing eargasm.
Together, the piano and Ritzy’s echoey Welsh vocals, all build towards a track that is quite simply beautiful. On 01:09, it exudes into this sumptuous crescendo which reminds me of the untouchably brilliant ‘Comforting Sounds’ from Mew. The guitars kick in, the electronica is spectacular, and it’s a climactic and frenzied end to what is altogether a very very great piece of music. This track is the one which is “showcasing their latest album” – and I for one, am bloody excited about it
Watch the video below, or hear it on Soundcloud…
This post is written by Sam Davis. Sam has a passion for web development, the media and red wine. Amongst other genres, Sam is a big fan of Scottish rock, so much so that he once forced his way through a crowd, injuring people on the way, just to get the plectrum thrown by the lead singer of Glasvegas.
