What Else Is There?

..:: The Joy Formidable - Maw Maw Song ::..

I’ll admit it, this one isn’t quite as gleaming as their breakout hit “Whirring”, but if you hang on for long enough “Maw Maw Song” ends up showcasing The Joy Formidable doing what they do best — absolutely destroying instruments while peaking extended alt-rock breakdowns. The first half catches the band busting out a sarcastic cat impression before the second half ushers in the big payoff — which includes a flurry of larger than life guitar theatrics, synchronized cresting vocals, and Ritzy Bryan just generally being a badass. The world could use a few more frontwomen like her.

..:: #14 - The Joy Formidable - Whirring ::..

Aggressive, yet dreamy. Assailing, yet transcendent. “Whirring” is nothing if not an intense ride. The first half of the song has Ritzy Bryan belting out curses to an unknown being — “You make me sleep so badly, invisible friend” — while the rest of the band chugs along beside her. However, the real treat is that the first half of the song is but a launchpad for the 4 minute path of destruction that follows. The Joy Formidable hitch themselves to The Smashing Pumpkins “Rocket” but instead of landing on Neptune they don’t stop until they’re firebombing alien planets in another galaxy with layers of guitars and a barrage of drums and bass. Best Moment: Pretty much the entire final salvo, starting at 2:49 and continuing through the end of the song.

..:: The Joy Formidable - Whirring ::..

Aggressive, yet dreamy. Assailing, yet transcendent. “Whirring” is nothing if not an intense ride. The first half of the song has Ritzy Bryan belting out curses to an unknown being — “You make me sleep so badly, invisible friend” — while the rest of the band chugs along beside her. However, the real treat is that the first half of the song is but a launchpad for the 4 minute path of destruction that follows. The Joy Formidable hitch themselves to The Smashing Pumpkins “Rocket” but instead of landing on Neptune they don’t stop until they’re firebombing alien planets in another galaxy with layers of guitars and a barrage of drums and bass.