WL//WH Track/Video Of The Day LOVEJOY
Refined guitar pop music tunesmith right from his inception between the late 90s and early 00s, Richard Preece, under his Lovejoy nom de plume, together with a bunch of noteworthy Sarah Records-affiliated collaborators, released a treasured string of 7” singles, EPs and albums, mainly through the indie pop specialist imprint Matinee Recordings.
The indie pop auteur from just outside of Brighton returned in 2024 after an extended sabbatical, with the warmly received album “…And It’s Love!“ accompanied by stripped-back acoustic live sets in support of the record, strong with a rejuvenated songwriting inspiration, as well as collaborating along the way with the legend that is Alan McGee.
After the hazy, subtly percussive, shoegaze-tinged first excerpt “Against The Tide”, Lovejoy keeps on teasing the forthcoming full-length, “Under The Weather“, with a cheerful, bright, and chiming infectious energy that hits a soft spot with a vibrant, soulful breeze of sun-kissed longing and nostalgia.
Lovejoy draws on the influences of the classic jangling melodic sensibilities from early Creation Records, especially, in this latter case, beyond the Primal Scream, the likes of early Orange Juice, adding his own distinctive, cultivated and refreshing flair.
Anchored by a tight bounding rhythmic foundation, the song sways on energetic tinny strums laced with a crisp, ringing 6-string resonance that reverberates with vaguely psychedelic, achingly sharp edges around earnest, emotional male vocals, joined by high celestial female backups, to sync as one for an uplifting chorus/outro of heartfelt mantra-like harmonies “open up your eyes, we’re living in the light.”
The paired visuals for “Living In the Light”, created by Museum of Memory, blend slightly washed-out vintage frames of majestic sunrise horizons with colorful blooms, lakeside family fun, and friendly animal interactions to bring forth the joy, vibrancy, and comfort of the soundtrack.
Lovejoy‘s forthcoming new album, “Under The Weather“, is scheduled for release (Vinyl 12″ /CD & Digital) on 31 July via Spinout Nuggets (UK), Shelflife (US) and the band’s Bandcamp.
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