I suppose that to be dubbed a shoegaze band in 2017 is both a blessing and a curse; lots of fans of that genre still out there -- (myself included) -- and also a lot of junk masquerading as the return of said genre. Well, I'm here to tell you that the new EP from No Joy, Creep, out now on Grey Market, is more than just another attempt to relive the glory days of shoegaze.
Opener "Califone" kicks things off with a spry melody that recalls bands like Angelic Milk or Chemtrails but which soars with a sense of pop optimism. On the dark "Flourescent Dread", Jasamine White-Gluz and Laura Lloyd turn things towards the sort of electronic pop favored by Ministry on certain early releases, while the schizo jumps in the tune of "Tearing Apart The Dark" blend the cooing from an old Cranes record with the rage of a hardcore screed, the effect being a bravely compelling one. It is, however, the superb "Hellhole" which made me a firm fan of this band. Sounding remarkably like that criminally underrated Swallow album on 4AD, or bits of the best Pale Saints releases, this number is a perfect melding of shoegaze-y elements with a flair for traditional indie-pop song structures. Delightful!
Creep by No Joy is out now. I urge you to get it -- the Bandcamp link is below. You can follow No Joy via the band's official Facebook page.
[Photo: Jodi Heartz]