Formidable by name, formidable by nature; it seems that Ritzy Bryan
& Co. don't do things half-hearted. The Joy Formidable enjoy a loyal and
sizeable underground presence but have yet to fully break into the musical
mainstream; a queer fact considering their distinctive alternative rock sound.
Enter second album ‘Wolf’s Law’ – and brace yourself.
Bursting in with ‘This Ladder Is Ours’, the tone is set with a
thumping beat, whining guitars and a melodic touch behind the wall of sound
that is fast becoming this band’s trademark. The feedback-laden rocker ‘Cholla’
and the theatrically heavy ‘Bats’ continue the formula; heaps of loud guitars
on top of catchy choruses, while ‘Little Blimp’ strays into more indie territory
with tighter riffs and a brighter solo. ‘Tendons’ and ‘Forest Serenade’ see the
band developing more; the former a booming Arcade Fire-style odyssey with a
harder edge, the latter adding atmosphere to climbing guitars and a rattling
beat to excellent effect.
The feedback-heavy scuzz is maintained throughout, but there are
brief glimpses between the wall of noise where ‘Wolf’s Law’ is quite varied. ‘The
Leopard And The Lung’ almosts hints of dubstep before evolving into a string-laden
epic, while the trio go near to folk with the bass-drum beat on ‘The Hurdle’,
before the chorus kicks in the familiar grungy chorus. The real curveball comes
in ending song ‘The Turnaround’, a sprawling violin-driven marathon that is
more classical than anything else, and piano-led hidden track ‘Wolf’s Law’ that
caps off the record with an old-style rock-out.
It is a small irony then that the standout moment is the touchingly
tender ‘Silent Treatment’. Armed with just an acoustic guitar, it acts as a
welcome change of pace and shows off the undoubted talent of the band, coupled
with the most moving lyrics of ‘I’ll take
the silent treatment … it’s all you get from me’. It also exhibits the band’s
biggest asset; Ritzy Bryan’s distinctive vocals, which can go between vibrant
and edgey, towering and angelic in a heartbeat. The less said about the
ridiculous ‘Maw Maw Song’ (which actually sees band members meowing along to a
stormy riff) the better, but apart from this ‘Wolf’s Law’ doesn’t carry a bad
song.
Another accomplished album, that maybe just needs to turn it down every
once in a while, as the brilliant ‘Silent Treatment’ shows. But there is no
doubt of the talents of The Joy Formidable; heavy yet melodic songs,
fantastically bombastic production and a soaring voice in Ritzy Bryan’s
shimmering vocals. Expect The Joy Formidable to break into the mainstream very
soon.
A very good album, and here's my favourite song, 'Silent Treatment'. Enjoy.
NWR
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