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. . . Photo – Hannah Hall . . . . . . . . . . CLICK THE PIC TO VIEW THE NEWS
“One of the Most Anticipated Albums of the Summer”
– Brooklyn VeganIndie rockers Spanish Love Songs reveals “No Joy”, as their upcoming fourth album. For those in Australia, it will come as a second treat with its release coming at the tail end of the August tour.
Loaded with shimmering synths, dreamy beats and honest lyricism “No Joy” leaves you blindly dancing through clouds and acceptance of simply existing. It’s an easy listen with light synth pop melodies, but look through the sheer curtains and you’ll hear dark story telling of unpleasant moments, real moments and messy moments. Nostalgic is how “No Joy” could be described, Slocum’s slight twang coated with yearning for past dreams give a ruminant feel to the album. Self-proclaimed grouch punks, Spanish Love Songs embodies the true elder emo.
Hyper-real lyrics that read like a stream of conscious journal “No Joy” was created as words of encouragement, gratitude and acceptance for those current and past. Fans of Paramore’s “Hard Times” could get behind this more mature take.
“Haunted” the debut single from “No Joy” is a shimmering veil of poppy synths, punctuated with earnest lyrics through gossamer. It’s a song with happy dance vibes steeped in brutal realism. Opening line “you pulled off the road so you could cry” is so relatable, so accusatory and so gloomy in the scene it brings up. It conjures pictures of a lost lover, that has turned into both a ghost haunting themselves, hoping “the cold gets in [their] heart”, and being haunted by internal devil thoughts. Slocum sings of the “killer in your heart” with an unrelenting voice, filling you with negative lies that cut like “plastic in your belly”. Self- realisation and survival are running themes through the album, and it is never truer than in times of heartbreak or betrayal, that one is forced to find joy through acceptance and what is left.
While a beautiful lyrical track, “Haunted” could have had a bigger hook. Some sort of extended melody or short verse to peak the track, could have given it those catchy few bars you keep humming repeatedly. Understandably Spanish Love Songs isn’t defined by basic song structure and four chords. Maybe that’s not what the band was aiming for. Undoubtedly the mood is dark, painting a sombre picture of self-harm and isolation. Hearing the singer go check in on the ghost, ignored blinking notifications and relief to hear noise, even if its crying is almost too much.
“Pendulum” and “Clean-Up Crew” are two other singles released ahead of the album. Commendable mention must go to the stylish drum opening of “Clean-Up Crew”. Followed by a fat walking bass and upbeat rhythm which you can’t help but dance to, you can just tell this will be a crowd favourite live. It’s a happy song about being sad and recognising big dreams don’t always lead to a big life. The cathartic chorus calling out life, for coming to teach us a lesson when we believe it’s all going well is so miserable yet funny. So, exalt along with the band, and “let the clean-up crew come eat me alive”.
Spanish Love Songs have a knack for making heavy topics softly poignant. Incorporating matter of fact vocals, satisfying double claps and groovy dance beats with a sprinkling of dry humour keeps this from being an album to only cry to. “Middle of Nine” has especially macabre imagery. Charon the boatman to Hades who “came… without warning” and “black spot in your lungs” reminding us “there is no second draft” to life is quite sombre. Yet the words are sung in a loving way, the tempo moderate and melody almost bittersweet.
A song of remembrance “Middle of Nine” is followed up upbeat jive “Marvel” which is purposely placed in the heart of the album. The line “stay alive out of spite” is so darkly humorous, like a middle finger to life. Never mind the “silent explosions in my mind”, even when you’re at rock bottom there is so much to marvel at. The album structure acts like a metaphor for life’s ebbs and flow, as hearing further along in the album “I’m Gonna Miss Everything”, it sounds like a defeated goodbye.
It is within defeat we ruminate and try to learn from mistakes. Continuing to lead listeners on the journey of life, “Mutable” is about the long recovery of lost love and not learning from your mistakes. It’s easy to “swear I’ll change” then act surprised when things stay the same. However, it’s oh so easy to indulge in heavy thinking and so deliciously addictive to bring up ghosts. That’s why “Here You Are” is such an addictive track. Mighty hooks and punchy guitars about lying in the dark with trauma, sign this sad gal up.
Closing track “Re-emerging Signs of the Apocalypse” is a track of of cathartic release. Starting with static electricity and reverbing synths, it slowly builds into an explosion of feel good doom. Cheeriness at realising we are all “part of the equation”. All contributing in good and bad ways. Multi layered synths and guitars combine in a kaleidoscope of sound and colour. With great instrumental control and dexterity, the melody is harmonious and no instrument overpowers another. A fitting end to the tumultuous journey “No Joy” has carried us through.
Ironically “No Joy” is anything but depressing. A therapeutic listen from start to finish it exposes the good times within bad. Or rather its message is to find the good even if it seems all bad. It calls all elder emos to unite and smile, or maybe grimace at the past and what lies ahead.
No Joy is out August 25 via Pure Noise Records.
Pre-order No Joy here
Stream Pendulum here
NO JOY
Track Listing:01. Lifers
02. Pendulum
03. Haunted
04. Clean-Up Crew
05. Middle of Nine
06. Marvel
07. I’m Gonna Miss Everything
08. Rapture Chaser
09. Mutable
10. Here You Are
11. Exit Bags
12. Re-Emerging Signs of the Apocalypse
SPANISH LOVE SONGS
AUSTRALIAN TOUR
Tour Dates:SATURDAY 19 AUGUST – THE SHAKING HAND, CANBERRA
SUNDAY 20 AUGUST – SIN OR SWIM HARBOUR CRUISE, SYDNEY
MONDAY 21 AUGUST – HAMILTON STATION HOTEL, NEWCASTLE
WEDNESDAY 23 AUGUST – VINNIES DIVE BAR, GOLD COAST
THURSDAY 24 AUGUST – BAD LUCK, BRISBANE
FRIDAY 25 AUGUST – STAY GOLD, MELBOURNE (SOLD OUT)
SATURDAY 26 AUGUST – STAY GOLD, MELBOURNE
Tickets from HERE
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About SPANISH LOVE SONGS:
Since 2013, the LA-formed indie-punk quintet Spanish Love Songs have made hay on the backs of a string of beloved albums – 2015’s Giant Sings The Blues, 2018’s Schmaltz and 2020’s Brave Faces Everyone – lauded by critics and fans alike for their richly personal, no- holds-barred lyricism awash in existential dread, hyper-personal cultural ruminations and attempts to answer life’s big questions.
Press Release 13th July 2023 (below) HERE
SPANISH LOVE SONGS
release third new single from
highly anticipated new album
NO JOY
due out Friday 25 AugustLISTEN AND WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO FOR
NEW SINGLE PENDULUM
STREAM | YOUTUBETouring Australia this August
AMNPLIFY – DB
