#joyer

1/26/26.

I listened to "Lily of the Valley" from 22º Halo a lot last year; so much that I assumed (1) I posted about the LP and (2) I bought it. Wow, wrong on both counts. And it looks like I can only correct one of those wrongs since this album is sold out.

"Lily of the Valley" is a gorgeous album that received well deserved rave reviews upon its release in November 2024. The band formed from the ashes of Teen Spaceship and has basically grown into the vehicle for the music of Will Kennedy (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...Kennedy was also in power pop band 2nd Grade). It kind of reminds me of a lo-fi version of Chris Cohen. The Pitchfork review also mentions bands Hovvdy and Joyer. There's a slight nod to The Microphones in the review as well.

‘I Forgive You’ Text Sent Before Cheating Confirmed

666 News Now Investigates Emotional Premature Ejaculation

“I’m your host Katie Killjoy…”

“And I’m Tom Trench. Tonight we’re covering a riveting investigation regarding an NWRE’s questionable relations.”

“That’s right Tom. In what experts are calling an emotionally catastrophic misfire, Joyer has allegedly sent a forgiveness text before confirming that he had, in fact, been cheated on.”

“Sources confirm the message, which read simply ‘It’s okay, I forgive you. I know love is hard in Hell <3’ sent at exactly 3:34 A.M. A full six minutes before video footage surfaced of his partner entangled with another NRWE.”

“‘He didn’t even check the receipts first,’ reports one of Hells very own therapists, Dr. Johnson, Director of the Codependent Demon Recovery Unit. ‘It’s what we call emotional premature ejaculation: releasing all your forgiveness before the betrayal finishes entering you.’”

*cue Tom making kissing sounds*

“You’d know a thing or two about premature ejaculation, wouldn’t you Tom?”

Like sleepwaling with Dinosaur Jr. in the old days, it’s got the slow Djr feel but its more like it was produced by K-records found and Beat Happening originator Calvin Johnson, someone who’s still touring with his solo-releases and it’s definitely a pleasure checking it out. 

For a slight fun-fact, the K-records logo was the only tattoo Kurt Cobain had, an avid fan of the label. The label was very significant in starting the riot grrrl movement as well as ignite the whole punkrock scene of the 90s.

K-Records also put out early cassettes by artists and bands such as Built to Spill, Modest Mouse and even Beck - so its not a far stretch saying that seeing Joyer release through them would make sense - I’d love to pick up the physical release for sure, which luckily we can do through their Bandcamp profile - there’s a pre-order link for the cassette which will be limited to 70 copies. It’s released on Slovakian label Z Tapes.

This is the second Slovakian release we’ve covered in a short time and it makes me wonder if there’s an underground scene emerging from there which we should all be keeping our eyes and ears on?

Don’t forget that you can follow our playlist on spotify if you want to check out the new music we’re listening to