If you’re just discovering Spanish Love Songs, prepare yourself for an impactful musical journey. Imagine this: it’s during the thick of the pandemic, and uncertainty looms large. In this climate, I connected with someone online, who would soon become my girlfriend, and our shared love for music became a constant conversation. It was during one of my regular walks that she introduced me to SLS’s track, “The Boy Considers His Haircut.” Instantly, their sound resonated deeply – it was exactly the emotional landscape I needed to navigate those challenging times. Spanish Love Songs, with their lyrics steeped in existential themes, reflections on depression, and cultural observations, became a source of comfort throughout the pandemic. Their music validated feelings of sadness and offered a sense of shared experience in those difficult moments.
Spanish Love Songs band performing on stage
Despite their band name, which might evoke actual Spanish Songs, Spanish Love Songs is back with No Joy, an album that surprisingly leans towards optimism, even as they continue to explore profound sadness. It’s worth noting that for a band known for their introspective and melancholic sound, optimism is a relative term.
No Joy doesn’t represent a complete transformation of Spanish Love Songs‘ sound. However, it skillfully incorporates new elements into their signature “grouchrock” style. A prominent addition is the use of swelling synths, which subtly infuse each track with influences from 80’s new wave and pop-rock. This is immediately apparent in the album’s opening track, “Lifer.” Lyrically, through the narrative of a car crash, the song reveals a sense of happiness emerging for the sake of loved ones, setting a tone of resilience that permeates the album.
The first half of No Joy, from “Pendulum” through “Haunted” to “Clean-Up Crew,” grabs your attention with its raw intensity. Lead vocalist Dylan Slocum delves into themes of fleeting despair in suburban settings, the pursuit of dreams, and the complexities of existence. In “Haunted,” a song about coming to terms with reality, Slocum references a lyric from their previous album, Brave Faces Everyone. Where he once questioned if the bleakness would ever end, he now sings, “it’ll be this bleak forever, but it is a way to live,” showcasing a shift towards acceptance.
Slocum’s lyrical style often includes callbacks, weaving together lyrics and song titles throughout No Joy. “Middle of Nine,” for example, poses the poignant question, “Do you remember the look on my face when you told me you wanted to die?” This somber line is revisited in “I’m Gonna Miss Everything,” offering a changed perspective: “I can’t remember the look on your face when I told you that I might want to die.” These lyrical echoes create a rich tapestry across the album, enhancing its thematic depth and inviting repeated listens to uncover new layers of meaning within Spanish Love Songs‘ music.
Mirroring its lyrical exploration of acceptance amidst hardship, No Joy musically oscillates between punk energy and new wave influences. This sonic blend isn’t jarring; instead, it feels cohesive and intentional. The songs navigate the nuances of finding joy in the present moment – whether it’s the defiant declaration of staying “alive out of spite” in “Marvel,” or the grim acceptance of smiling “up under the swell” in “Exit Bags.”
The album culminates in the explosive final track, “Re-Emerging Signs of the Apocalypse.” Reflecting on the weight of global issues and coping mechanisms, the song evolves into an anthem of sorts. It directly confronts the darkness, acknowledging the world’s persistent challenges while affirming individual agency as “part of the equation.” “Re-Emerging Signs of the Apocalypse” promises to be a powerful live experience, with its potential for audience participation and cathartic release.
Ultimately, No Joy by Spanish Love Songs offers a subtle portrayal of genuine happiness. It suggests that happiness isn’t always about carefree joy; often, it’s about resilience and choosing to stay “alive out of spite.” Spanish Love Songs invites listeners to delve into the complexities of joy, whether it’s found in peak moments or buried within adversity.
No Joy was released on August 25th and is available on major streaming platforms.
