"For those out there missing the grungy rock sounds that were produced in the '90s, 'Them Days' is definitely worth a listen. Merging together elements from bands from decades ago with their own interpretation of the genre, it is clear that Sick Joy is on the cusp of becoming that new band we can't get enough of, making them a group worth paying attention to. "
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Awesome
By Rachael Dowd
Describing themselves as “heavy pop,” the Brighton-via-Newcastle trio Sick Joy’s brand new EP, Them Days, features four tracks that are the perfect blend of heavy pop and grunge. Gaining a reputation throughout England for their fiery live performance, Sick Joy is a newer band on the scene worth paying attention to.
Opening up the EP is “Playing Dead,” a foot-tapping tune that features Sick Joy’s quintessential sound led by ever-present guitar riffs and the gritty vocals of frontman Mykl. Although repetitious at times, “Playing Dead” is the perfect opening track to the EP, greatly showcasing their unique sound to listeners and setting them up to hear the rest of the EP.
The EP’s strongest song is “Shoot Your Lover.” A catchy head banging tune with a chorus you can’t help but play on a loop over and over in your head, this is a tune I would love to see live in the near future. With hard-hitting percussion and guitars layered over Mykl’s intriguing and near effortless vocals, “Shoot Your Lover” is well crafted both stylistically and lyrically, making for the most exciting listen on the release.
Toning it down a notch, “Dirty Water” is a mid-tempo song that showcases Sick Joy’s ability to craft both thrilling and loud tracks as well as mid-tempo songs that let their lyrics stand at the forefront. With ominous guitars weaved throughout the track’s verses, “Dirty Water,” and it’s bitter tone that most likely reflects its bitter inspiration, is a good addition to the EP that shows a different side to the band’s style.
Helping to bring the EP to a close is “Vibe Sucker,” another catchy tune you will find yourself singing over and over again. Influenced by what could be interpreted as Sick Joy’s own version of pop music, the chorus captures the attention of all who listen, but does fall somewhat flat due to the repetitive nature of its composition. “Vibe Sucker” is just missing an element or two that would help it stand out amongst other songs of a similar style. However, the overall lyrics, especially in the second verse, are cleverly written, representing the unique material Sick Joy is capable of creating.
Overall, the Them Days EP is a great addition to the Sick Joy discography that helps introduce new listeners to their style and influence. The EP falls flat in a few areas, particularly with the repetitious lyrics and structure that holds Sick Joy back from introducing anything new to the genre. However, for those out there missing the grungy rock sounds that were produced in the ’90s, Them Days is definitely worth a listen. Merging together elements from bands from decades ago with their own interpretation of the genre, it is clear that Sick Joy is on the cusp of becoming that new band we can’t get enough of, making them a group worth paying attention to.
