Joyce Manor have always managed to be concise and concentrated; their 2011 self-titled record showing exactly that. The main reason for the Californian punk band’s high regard is their ability to deliver punk songs which combine striking melodies with sweet choruses and raw emotion. ‘Never Hungover Again’ is a continuation of all this, refusing to conform to any particular genre and drawing from the most enjoyable corners of indie and punk-rock.
The bass buzzes and hums throughout, with overtones of reverberating guitar, influenced by indie rock in the vein of The Smiths. ‘Christmas Card’ begins the album and cements those characteristics instantly. The vocal harmonies of ‘Falling In Love Again’ are reminiscent of The Cure, but rawer and more purposeful. As you’d expect, this particular track has the feel of a ballad, done in Joyce Manor’s inimitable style. The first three tracks are slower-paced and less frenetic than the band usually are – it’s a solid introduction which evokes melancholy above all else.
‘Victoria’ – a hit of pop-punk centred around unrequited love – is more conventionally structured, diversion from the more ballad-like introduction. It’s a welcome change of pace as well. Barry Johnson’s vocals are versatile, satisfying the wistful, harmony-dependent sound of ‘End of The Summer’ but translating effectively to punchier tracks such as ‘Heart Tattoo’.
While the speed of affairs does change, the lyrics are consistently conversational and chatty, rarely straying from a crestfallen tone. With lines such as “I want a heart tattoo, I want to tell her really bad, That’s how I’ll know, I’ll know it’s real”, Johnson is further exploring a lack of reciprocation in terms of affection – mirroring the theme of ‘Christmas Card’ and ‘Victoria’. Clearly, there are no ‘summer jams’ on this album in terms of lyricism, but Joyce Manor combine pensive lines with instantly accessible melodies and so many infectious guitar hooks. Turn to ‘Catalina Fight Song’ and ‘Schley’ for apt examples of the aforementioned riffs and Johnson’s voice working perfectly in tandem.
At just over nineteen minutes, ‘Never Hungover Again’ is a brilliant, accelerated ride through hazy memories of lost love and painful longing backed up by melodies that serve as an homage to Joyce Manor’s strongest influences, and then some.
SAMARTH KANAL