Little Joy – Little Joy

Little Joy – Little Joy

By Chris Peken

‘There ain’t no lover like the one I’ve got / she and I and a brand new start / gotta give all my love.’ Simple sentiment, simple song; but when it’s sung as with as much sincerity and such a catchy melody as it is on Brand New Start by the Little Joys then it become a pop delight. This self-titled debut was recorded in California by Rodrigo Amarante (Los Hermanos, Devendra Banhart), Binki Shapiro and Fabrizio Moretti (The Strokes) ‘ that’s right, another Strokes side project, and by the drummer no less. And not since Denis Wilson’s flawed but beautiful solo album has been so successful (and I include all Phil Collins albums). Despite Moretti writing or co-writing all of the songs on Little Joy the albums owes far more to the influence of Bossa Nova, 70’s folk and Devendra Banhart than The Strokes. Deft touches of delicate instrumentation and summer harmonies abound, as Shapiro and Amarante take lead vocal duties and Moretti proves how much his backing harmonies make up the distinctive sound of The Strokes ‘ leaving the listener with the warm feeling of the familiar lurking in these laid-back songs of more than a little joy. Some more California dreaming indeed.
*** ½