Big Joanie – Back Home
Back Home shows increased confidence in production, without sacrificing any of the immediacy that make this trio one to watch
Big Joanie have become slow-burning breakout stars since 2018's Sistahs, and their second album is sure to cement their reputations as iconoclasts in both the traditional punk sense, as well as in their approach/rejection of genre boundaries.
There's still plenty of scuzzy guitar (What Are You Waiting For, Happier Still, Taut), but Stephanie Phillips' vocals shine through with a newly acquired sheen that makes the insightful lyrics impossible to ignore. But they haven't forgotten the synths either, especially on the straight-up industrial Sainted which closes the album, bringing things full circle thematically from opener Cactus Tree's 'goths who are into doo-wop' vibes.
In My Arms is possibly the catchiest song they've ever made, with twangy guitars that mesh beautifully with the raw, pounding drums, while Count to 10 is the only true concession to electronica with sci-fi keys and a drum machine.
The stylistic leaps from song to song would be unwieldy in lesser hands, but Big Joanie have such a clear, cohesive vision that going from trance to grunge seems to make sense. In fact, the only weak portion of the album (relatively) is two consecutive rockers towards the end (Today, I Will), because you've come to expect something more experimental. But this is a minor quibble in what's otherwise one of the most exciting albums to come out this year, regardless of genre.
Listen to: In My Arms, Taut, What Are You Waiting For