The Joy Formidable Is An Exquisite Delight

Most of you have likely had one night in your life swapping stories with an old friend whose focus is solely on you. Nothing else matters. This friend's details seem vivid. His storytelling transports you to unique places, sights, smells, sounds, and tastes. Ritzy Bryan, Rhydian Dafydd, and Matt Thomas, the trio which comprises The Joy Formidable, know how to reassure you of your importance as a music consumer. Each facet of this North Wales band crackles with the halfway surreal note of individual storytelling that brushes limits aside. Guitars rumble. You aren't scattering in fear over this earthquake. More like pausing in awe to marvel over the scope of the debris. "Cholla" is one of the best, most shimmering jewels lifted from "The Wolf's Law". As a singer Ritzy Bryan's supreme gift is pulling you in with her beguiling notes while pulverizing you with the way she attacks the fretboard. Up and down the plethora of chords she goes with little reason to catch a breath. As for Matt he deserves consideration as one of the most impressive drummers of the past 20 years. "Cholla" shows his knack to flattering effect. "This Ladder" is an excellent opening track because it's where you get a sense Ritzy's singing to you instead of through you. "Tendons" consists of savage guitar held together bone for bone by Matt shifted into fourth gear. "Little Blimp" begins bouncy but plots its course towards a savory gumbo of keyboards, guitar, and Ritzy's soul penetrating voice. It's a credit to the band's flexibility as a unit that on some occasions they'll keep you guessing at what speed their collective imagination functions. "Maw Maw Song" is the kind of loose-jointed rocker in which each band member's strengths hit full flower. Rhydian Dafydd's bass represents the solid firmament that makes this down and dirty grinder possible. Ritzy's guitar assumes a soft position at both front and back. "Forest Serenade" swats away loneliness through Ritzy's sumptuously resounding display of vocals as beckoning lover characterization. She's up close, personal, and driving home the drama. Late in the proceedings "The Turnaround" embodies wide-eyed wonder. Layer upon layer of complexity elevate it to legendary status. "The Wolf's Law" is an all-around treat minus the cavities brought on a by a bona fide sugar rush. You'll likely lick this plate clean and demand seconds to boot.