JOYWAVE - Cleanse LP

Label: Hollywood

Throughout Joywave’s career, frontperson/bandleader Daniel Armbruster has repeatedly signalled his preoccupation with fame via his lyrics. At first, it appears that Armbruster can only think to process an unprecedented global catastrophe as an obstacle to his career ambitions. Thankfully, that proves not to be the case.

This time, Armbruster attempts to throw his arms around the world and understand his dread and worry through a collective lens. All too often, artists come off as disingenuous when they drape themselves in the plight of others, but Armbruster achieves the opposite. Here, he finds the heart in Joywave’s music and runs with a newfound thoughtfulness that invigorates Cleanse from start to finish.

Far too many musicians have responded to the limited mobility of the past two years with the same tunnel vision they had beforehand. Joywave, alas, have clearly been changed by what we’ve all lived through. They’ve also emerged with their most moving work yet.