Album Review: “Further Joy” by the Regrettes
The Regrettes, consisting of lead singer Lydia Night, guitarist Genessa Gariano, bassist Brooke Dickson, and drummer Drew Thomsen, show listeners the importance of staying in the moment and appreciating what you have with their latest album, Further Joy.
In a tone shift from previous works Feel Your Feelings Fool! and How Do You Love?, Further Joy takes listeners through a full range of emotions surrounding mental health and a journey to self-acceptance and love. Night describes the album as the “poppiest and danciest” that the group has ever made, despite also being the most raw and vulnerable to date.
Lead single “Monday” (which hit top 15 on alternative radio prior to the release of the album and has garnered 4.1 million streams on Spotify), focuses on living with mental health issues, and the feelings that come with accepting that you’re struggling (These growing pains / They push me ‘til I break / An existential crisis and it’s only a Monday). “Barely on My Mind,” an “angsty banger” according to Dickson, takes listeners through emotionally processing what Night describes as “a really gnarly, abusive relationship” (Sinkin’ in your teeth actin’ like you’re sweet / I had a feelin’ you were a devil in a fancy suit). With rich distorted guitar, a tight, poppy bassline, and a drum track straight out of the 80s, it’s no wonder this song has quickly become a fan favorite.
Rounding out the album with “Nowhere,” The Regrettes speak to the idea of always wanting more (Thought we’d have it all when we’re millionaires / Well, we made a bunch of money just to go nowhere). The song is inspired by the Alan Watts quote: “You can’t live at all unless you can live fully now”, which plays to open the track.
When talking about the album as a whole, Night stresses to listeners again how important it is to live in the moment.
“You’re never going to experience real life,” began Night, “if you’re chasing something.”
Further Joy is out now on all streaming platforms. You can find it here.
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