Mt. Joy – Rearrange Us
Dualtone Records – 5 June 2020
It’s a long way from Valley Forge to L.A. Matt Quinn and Sam Cooper met during high school in Philadelphia, yet their musical relationship came to fruition in Los Angeles when they met up again in 2016. Mt. Joy was formed, named not after the emotion but the peak in Valley Forge near their hometown. Quickly finding the sweet spot between folk, rock and soul they released the single Astrovan and, five million hits later, they’re releasing Rearrange Us, their second album.
The title reflects the wild ride Mt. Joy has been on since the release of their first album in 2017. According to Matt, “I think for this record, just traveling the world and having our lives change so much, it was easy to write about change and focus on what it was doing to us. Hence, Rearrange Us.” Yet despite all the changes that have occurred over the past couple of years their sound still is magic to the ears.
Mt. Joy is a blast of everything that is right with music. Bug Eyes opens with a meander of ‘strings’ and found sounds before an acoustic guitar reframes the equation. Soft and gentle with the keyboards far back in the mix, the opening suggests there’s more to this track before the drums and swirling keys come to the fore as the song picks up steam. On both this track, and the album as a whole, they prove to be masters of dynamics.
Slinky and soulful Rearrange Us has a melody that just bores into your brain. As the chorus swells, building to ecstatic, sun-filled moments joy and sorrow combine, “In another time I’d made up my mind that you were perfect in the flashing light. If I tried I’d make this thing work right.”
Sam Cooper’s guitar and Jackie Michlau’s keyboards provide a workout on Let Loose, with Cooper’s slashing solo framed by Michlau’s shimmering piano and synth washes framing the picture. Then it’s on to a blue Christmas with Every Holiday. Acoustic guitar and piano set the scene for another tale haunted by previous underwhelming holidays.
Tucker Martine’s brass arrangement solidifies the season of drepression, “… maybe it’s worth it to see if we can outrun it, and I look at you across the room, your eyes like sinking balloons. Merry Christmas baby, I hope we make it through.”
Regardless of the season, the jubilant grooves of Rearrange Us provide a perfect way to swing into summer. The music sways with the breeze, shimmering and coming alive thanks Mt. Joy.
Pre-Order/Save Rearrange Us: https://mtjoy.lnk.to/RearrangeUsAlbum