Permanent (Joy) Arrive Fully Formed On Debut EP ‘Despair Will Make Me A Modern Man’
Permanent (Joy) is the new project from former members of Liverpool-based indie band Blondes, songwriters Alex Davison and Dan Stroud. Joined by Dave Annis (formerly of Queen Zee and touring member of Blondes) as well as bassist Noah Roche, the new project sees the band exploring a surreal and moodier blend of indie rock.
Following their introduction this past September, the band have released a batch of singles – Josephine, Aeroplane and I Wanna Go Home – all of which come together with three new tracks to form their debut EP, Despair Will Make Me A Modern Man. In discussing their new direction, Alex explains; “I had grown bored writing songs about myself, and I knew we had to move on as songwriters from the indie pop we made as Blondes. I wanted to do something darker, with more of a story to it.”
Released on today via Coastal Sound Recordings, the EP’s tracks are built around the band members’ respective instruments, but embellished with tasteful production elements and synths which add extra shine and interest.
Alex explains, “The first single ‘Josephine’ started on an acoustic guitar, and we had this warbly, eccentric string synth from the 80s that had been lent to us. That synth took the song into this world that felt like you were listening to an old memory. That’s how the song was born.”
The moody atmosphere is entrancing on track two, I Wanna Go Home. Thick bass and thrashing drums are laid down over a sticky melodic hook, with a simple chant “I wanna go home!” repeated through the chorus. Blaring electric guitars are rapidly panned from left to right, giving a glitchy, synthesized effect.
Another standout and personal favourite is pre-release single Aeroplane. Here the vocals really shine from songwriter Alex, with lyrics that cut through to the listener; “I wish that you had reached across from your bed in the hospital to mine” / “Wonder if you’re still waiting tables, and if your Dad got clean, I wonder if there’s some place here for me.”
This writing style within indie rock is reminiscent of artists like Elliot Smith and popularised by the likes of Phoebe Bridgers – where hyper-specificity within the lyrics feels personal yet universal – and is executed brilliantly here. Alex references Neutral Milk Hotel’s album In The Aeroplane Over The Sea and Jeff Magnum’s songwriting as an inspiration for the project; “I loved how he wove this surreal abstract narrative into a beautiful concept album centred around life and death. I knew that, musically, that’s what I wanted to do next.”
The EP’s final track Untitled leads with hazy, blown-out guitars and lethargic percussion over spoken-word verses. There is a feeling of fatigue in the washed-out vocals, like you are listening to a dream or a reflection of a memory. This is where we hear the project’s title spoken within its context, for a real ear-perking moment, like when the title of a film is revealed within the dialogue.
It is in the understated moments like these, where you can really see the thought and effort that has been put into creating not just a set of strong tracks, but an immersive world built around the music. Alex’s emotiveness and commitment in the vocal delivery make you believe every word that’s being said throughout even an abstract and existential lyrical narrative.
Permanent (Joy) have created a concise, solid body of work they should be very proud of. There is a sonic cohesion across the tracks, with top-notch, tasteful production choices and catchy hooks abundant (particularly shining on tracks Sometimes and I Wanna Go Home). While less of the focus, also to be admired is the band’s cohesive visual direction carried across their single covers and EP artwork, which only elevates the sonic experience, and builds a visual world around their music for fans to dig into and invest in the story being told.
Coming out of the gates with what feels like a fully-formed artistic vision – on their debut EP no less – is very impressive, and even more promising for what a full-length project from Permanent (Joy) would look like! The band have already generated enough word-of-mouth buzz to be hand-picked as opening act for indie-rock stars Franz Ferdinand earlier this year and have now been selected for five support shows with meteoric newcomers Inhaler, as well as for a further support show with Blossoms.
Alongside a busy period of touring as a support act, Permanent (Joy) will be promoting the release of their debut EP with a full show in Liverpool on 8 March, returning to their familiar stomping ground of the iconic Jacaranda Club for the first time as headliners. This will be followed by a showcase session for BBC Introducing Merseyside and an appearance at Liverpool Sound City Festival in May.
Despair Will Make Me A Modern Man is out now on all streaming platforms. Check out Permanent (Joy) on Instagram @permanentjoyband.
Jude Bankier
