Album Review: Lovejoy’s ‘One Simple Trick’

We said in our review of “With Rob As My Witness” that Lovejoy “have always pieced together aspects of post-hardcore, prog, indie, rock, alternative, and math-rock, so it feels difficult to try and articulate just where Lovejoy’s sound fits, other than just saying – it sounds like Lovejoy,” further describing the track as one that “easily straddles, at its core, the indie-rock line, but branches out with flairs of what can only be described as Lovejoy-isms.” And truly, when one hears of a debut record, that’s what they expect. Pieces of the band’s previous work meticulously pieced together in such a way that paints a vivid collage of who they are, their techniques, influences, inspirations… what makes them, them. And Lovejoy have gone and not just jam-packed their debut album, One Simple Trick, with every Lovejoy-ism and sound that Lovejoy have ever crafted into one piece of work. There is no mistaking who wrote One Simple Trick. From Will Gold’s positively cynical songwriting and emotive vocal tones, to Joe Goldsmith’s delicate yet complex lead guitar melodies, to Ash Kabosu’s technical basslines, to Mark Boardman’s forceful and reassuring drums, the new album is Lovejoy at their most cohesive and their most refined.

The band doesn’t ease you into the newest record – rather, they confront themselves at their lowest with the intensity of an album opener that feels both masochistic and revealing, feeling both human and relatable in ways. Gold’s songwriting has always been intimate and illustrative, yet there’s a sense of authenticity that lingers in his words, his lyricism taking a rather interpersonal standpoint not just compared to their old work, but to other aspects of the record as well. “With Rob As My Witness” has a similar tone of authenticity, yet it’s cloaked with pictures that Gold has always been able to frame with his words, creating snapshots of ubiquitous life. The vulnerability of the first track is emphasised by the metaphorical and symbolic side of Gold’s idiosyncratic songwriting that illustrates our humanity in obscure and peculiar fashions in songs like “Pay & Display,” “Common Touch,” “Deathbox, and “Scoundrels.” Yet, Gold shows off the ability to create a similar imaginatively-striking experience, with fewer words and more on tracks like “Perfect Blue” and “Scoundrels.” Lyrically, the debut record feels like a culmination of years worth of songwriting for Gold presented in the form of 11 songs that showcase his origination in lyricism with “Foxhole” and emphasise his growth in the elucidated depiction of what it means to be human. 

Sonically, the record bounces between numerous genres and techniques, yet maintains its roots firmly planted in indie. There’s an indie tinge, or tune, rather to each and every track – whether it’s the key of the song or the production on top of the guitars, it’s always there. It allows for something tangible to grasp onto and expect, however, Lovejoy plans with those preconceived notions and adds the slightest disruption that causes the listener to stay ever so present. It’s never-ending, the areas that the band pulls from. They blend aspects of melodic, funky, classic rock, alt, synth, Americana, and lounge pop genres, in any way they can, and not always in the most obvious of ways. “White Shark Cafe” leans in the rockier direction of indie rock, teasing it in a discrete enough way before “Deathbox,” “Scoundrels,” and “Monochrome” combine both with rock-style riffs in an indie key, no discretion necessary. “Fatal” and “Perfect Blue” feel like the most apparent stylistic shift for Lovejoy, tinged with aspects of Americana and lounge pop, with “Baptism,” “Common Touch,” and “With Rob As My Witness” shifting their gear further into the indie rock route, adding delicate touches of funk and synth throughout “Pay & Display” and “Perfect Blue.” Each instrument feels precisely placed in One Simple Trick, not one out of place, nor straying too far from the others, despite the various influences they pull from.

One Simple Trick’s ability to equipoise technical instrumentals with Gold’s storytelling is significant for a band on their debut LP. While experienced in EPs, putting together a longer piece requires the skill to be able to hold a listener’s attention span in a cohesive yet explorative manner. And, well, here’s to hoping there’s a second act in our future.

Find the new record here and keep up with Lovejoy on Instagram, TikTok, their official fan Subreddit, their YouTube, and their vlog channel. 

Over and out.