Vance Joy is without a doubt a rising star. And cliched as that is there’s definite truth to it.
His debut EP God Loves You When You’re Dancing is further evidence of this shining light and undeniable talent. The five tracks showcase his skills brilliantly.
The EP opens with ‘ Emmylou ‘ - an almost hauntingly beautiful song; rife with emotion and sprinkled lightly with shakers. Vance Joy’s voice breaks through and its unusual tone captures your full attention in a way which is truly effortless. The slight intensity is eased in the second verse when Joy sings, ”You wear your socks to bed, you wear your socks to bed, that’s what I do.” The song builds again and ends in a truly spectacular fashion.
Crowd (and personal) favourite ‘ Riptide ‘ follows on and the sweet ukulele is smile-inducing. It’s nice to hear this particular track with a full band. The percussion and backing vocals add an obvious depth but manage to not take anything away from Joy’s voice. ‘Riptide’ has a chorus that’ll nestle itself in your head for days and days and lyrics which will make you think “Aw, that’s cute/funny.”
The ukulele reappears on ‘ Play With Fire ‘. Vance has such an interesting quality to his voice and it really comes through on the third track. Over the top of trumpets (and assorted instruments), Vance sings “You say you’re sometimes sentimental, well that ain’t showing through to me.” Again, there is a build and demonstrates the ability to craft a song beautifully.
‘ Snaggletooth ‘ sees the return of the ukulele and more of Vance’s clever/funny/unusual/thought-provoking lyrics. It also allows him to show off his higher register. Vance Joy’s voice really is unlike any others. The string instruments featured in this beautiful, interesting song are lovely, too. Listening to it, you’d never know that Sia played a role in its creation.
This utterly delightful EP ends with ‘ From Afar ‘ – another simple, yet stunning song. The lyrics in the fifth and final track are beyond-easy to relate to and will undoubtedly be scribbled down in journals of those in unrequited love. ‘From Afar’ is heartbreaking and honest. It tells a story and creates a sense of empathy, as well as sympathy. There is desperation and sadness in Joy’s voice as he sings, “I always knew that I’d love you from afar,” and again towards the end as he belts, “It shouldn’t come as a surprise; what I’m feeling, what I’m feeling now.” He is begging for understanding. Trust us, Vance. We’re with you, buddy.
Vance Joy isn’t just a musician. He is an artist and this EP is his masterpiece. God Loves You When You’re Dancing is a beautiful piece of art – it really, truly is.
RIPE LIVE: WITH VANCE JOY
WORDS BY Grace Goodfellow
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