WORDS DESH KAPUR
Combining seven brilliant musicians and two brilliant singers, The Joy Hotel has released their debut album “Ceremony,” and it’s outstanding from start to finish.
The members of Joy Hotel are Emme Woods (vocals, guitar, keys), Luke Boyce (vocals, guitar, keys), Juan Laforet (keys, guitar + vocals), Jack Boyce (drums), Jack Borrill (bass + vocals), Jenny Clifford (guitar + vocals), and Scott Flanagan (acoustic guitar + vocals).
The Joy Hotel has created a buzz the old-fashioned way: blowing people away with their live show. I first saw them at Neighbourhood Festival a couple of years back, and they stopped me in my tracks. I sat on the grass and watched the whole set. Plus, word-of-mouth recommendations and songs that bury deep into your ear and stay there. I was randomly singing “Jeremiah” for days.
Opening with the beautiful “I Decline,” The Joy Hotel welcomes you into their world of 50s Americana, prog rock, with tender brush strokes of country. It’s a great place to be.
The record’s sound is soulful with an almost cinematic feel, full of soundscapes and textures. Songs about pain, heartache, and failing relationships resonate with the listener. The back-and-forth duel vocals work wonderfully, each song flowing seamlessly into the next as the record builds and builds, and it has a real retro feel.
The lead single “Jeremiah” is still the standout track for me. I love it, both lyrically and musically.
All in all, “Ceremony” is a standout debut album and deserves to be heard by everyone. In a musical world of a lot of records with little or no class, The Joy Hotel has given us a record that is unique, clever, beautifully put together, and full of class. Now, I need to get to a show and see them live again.
10/10
TRACK LISTING
1. I Decline
2. Forever Tender Blue
3. First Joy
4. Jeremiah
5. Black Balloon
6. Rapid Eye Movement
7. Old Man’s Eyes
8. While We’re Young
9. No Use
10. Twenty Three (A Comedy) – Part 1
11. Twenty Three (A Comedy) – Part 2
12. Killing Time
13. Small Mercy
THE JOY HOTEL LIVE DATES
Monday 22nd July – Glasgow Assai – Tickets here
Tuesday 23rd July – Edinburgh Assai – Tickets here
Thursday 25th July – London, Dash The Henge – Tickets here
03 August – SWG3, Glasgow, UK (supporting Belle and Sebastian)
FOLLOW THE JOY HOTEL
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago
