The Joy Hotel have made a splash with their first studio album “Ceremony”. A hazy indie rock effort that presents a larger than life story of love, loss and existential dread.
The band of seven spent eleven days at the iconic Rockfield studio in Wales, crafting what vocalist Luke Boyce they describe as a “soundtrack to a film that doesn’t exist“. This description is apt considering how each track in “Ceremony” leads perfectly into one another. The album is best enjoyed in one sitting, this will allow you to fully embrace the rich lyricism and layered instrumentation “Ceremony” has to offer.
Interestingly, “Ceremony” was released alongside an almost hour long making-of documentary entitled, “Come The Ringing Bell”. The documentary shines a light on the group of sevens creative process as well as their clearly close friendship.
There’s an ethereal beauty to “Ceremony” that makes it an investing listen, and this beauty is on full display with the albums first track, I Decline.
I Decline kicks the album off slowly, it’s got a really bright sound that makes it a nice wee summer listen, but as the track goes on and the group vocals start to mesh together, the richness of The Joy Hotel’s sound becomes apparent. The track also sets up the themes for the album nicely, with the theme of love being on full display.
Forever Tender Blue starts with the last line spoken in I Decline. The track sounds like a response to the opener from another perspective, this is only aided by the soft piano and wind instruments used to accompany both vocalists voices.
The First Joy closely follows the tempo of the two part opener, but more time is devoted to vocalist Emme Woods’ immaculate voice. The song also deviates in the second half, falling more into a traditional alt-rock sound, greatly enhanced by echoed screams and wailing guitars. Even in the deviation, the song remains a Joy Hotel track through and through.
Jeremiah opens with a sermon delivered by a preacher, setting up the battle for life the track deals with. The grand sound The Joy Hotel has established previously is continued into Jeremiah and only made more interesting by the fantastic lyricism on display. Vocalist Emme Woods’ describes the song as, “A song for the end of the world from two opposing perspectives“, this description can be used for many of the songs on “Ceremony”, but Jeremiah is a stand out on an album full of great tunes.
Black Balloon is the darkest song off of the album, but it’s still got a twinge of hope in it by the end. The song is about the death of an infant and how both parents attempt to reach some kind of understanding. When talked about it, vocalist Emma Woods’ talked about how, “It feels deeply personally, like a bit of a curse or premonition.“
Image credit: Hugo Thomassen
Rapid Eye Movement is my favourite from the album. It’s a song rich in atmosphere with deeply layered instrumentation that for goes vocals. a departure from the rest of the album , but it’s a rewarding listen that with the frantic piano melody backed by a reverb heavy guitar. It’s tense but calming at the same time.
Old Man’s Eyes brings back the poppy elements of “Ceremony” with its catchy guitar melody and gentle synth. The septet put their talents on full display during Old Man’s Eyes, you’ll be nodding along with the harmonies and begging to hear it live. Vocalist Emme Woods’ speaks about the song in high regard, “Old Man’s Eyes is such a fun one to play. It’s a high energy opener to the second half of the album.”
While You’re Young is a fun companion song to Old man’s eyes as both tracks deal with aging and reflecting on your younger days. Much of the excitement of the previous song is gone, instead replaced by tender harmonies and intricate drumming patterns that are a joy to listen to.
No Use is an interlude to the next two songs, but it’s also a brief reprieve from the excitment of the album that brings things back down to earth in a very personal fashion.
Image credit: Rosie Sco
Twenty Three ( A Comedy) – Part One and Part Two are the most clear companion tracks off of “Ceremony” and both are equally as good as each other, with Part Two acting as an extended outro to Part One. The theme of growing older is used again to great effect in Part One with the lyrics “I can hardly wait to let the good thing spoil. It’s all a twisted joke my son in the mortal coil” being a stand out example of The Joy Hotel’s witty, yet investing lyricism.
Killing Time has a great poetic spoken word segment that culminates in a roaring guitar melody that elevates the seemingly quiet track to great heights, making it stand out as both one of The Joy Hotel’s finest displays of passion and a phenomenal culmination of “Ceremony’s” themes and message.
Small Mercy closes the album of in style. Opening with a solo piano riff that transitions into Elle’s beautiful voice. As the song progresses, more and more of the band makes their presence known, ending on a roaring wall of noise that drowns out any conceivable melody. It’s a violent end, but it’s fitting for an album dealing with the highs and lows of life.
Featured image credit: Rosie Sco