Ditching mechanic jumpsuits for silky matching sleep sets, Joywave’s era of Permanent Pleasure has officially arrived. The Rochester indie/alt group are no strangers to Boston at this point, developing a dedicated cult following over the last few years of consistent touring. The first tour of the new album cycle - Paradise Rock Club was packed with fans old and new to hear their latest tracks live.
In their newest, the Rochester indie-rockers build off the sound they’ve become synonymous with; ethereal synths swirl around existentialist anxieties punctuated with dashes of lyrical irony. Their 5th studio album, Permanent Pleasure fits cozily into the niche Joywave has spent years honing for themselves while bringing a newfound warmth and comfort. Proclaimed by vocalist Dan Armbruster as “a decade in the sunbeam”, Permanent Pleasure offers a softer side of Joywave glittering behind their trademark doom and gloom. It’s a welcome change that feels like a step forward for the group while still keeping their iconic sound. It’s reflective of the uneasy acceptance needed to get out of bed in the current state of the world - it’s anxious but finds ways to push through.
The trio’s longevity in touring together gives them a high level of on-stage comfort and polish. Newer tracks like “Scared,” “Hate to Be a Bother,” and “Brain Damage” slide seamlessly into their setlist alongside classics “Shutdown,” “Nice House,” and “Obsession,” and feel as if they’ve always been in the Joywave-verse. It’s a real treat to see them continue to deliver such strong live sets cycle after cycle, and the band’s unique vein of comedy and irony never gets old.
It’s no secret that the world is a bit of a dumpster fire at the moment. Discomfort, fear, and utter disappointment have been my main emotions lately, and I don’t see that going away anytime soon. Permanent Pleasure is a great way to escape for a bit - a reminder that when the going gets tough (or damn near apocalyptic), it’s imperative to carve out space for hope, find comfort, and forward.
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