Vance Joy – God Loves You When You’re Dancing (05/04/2013)
Melbourne local Vance Joy’s debut EP God Loves You When You’re Dancing highlights exactly why he is a rising star both nationally and internationally. This 5 track album blends his indie-pop style into a stripped down and beautifully simplistic songs that perfectly showcase his song writing and musical talents.
Opening the EP, Emmy Lou is a hauntingly beautiful lullaby that despite the lightness of the track has an almost tangible edge of darkness to it. Joy’s voice is a flawless fit with this song, blending through the tone and emotions of the track and creating a breathtaking moment in the EP. The delicate guitar notes add to the depth of the song and flow well with the other instruments, leaving a pensive note.
With a light-hearted ukulele track and a softer side to Joy’s vocals, Snaggletooth is a sweet-to-the-core and simply lovely song to hear. The lyrics are thought provoking and wonderfully heartfelt, and speak genuinely of loving the imperfections of others. The instruments of the song are well balanced and blend with the emotions of Joy’s vocals, creating an absolutely memorable moment of the EP.
From Afar is an honest and heartbreaking song that brings this EP to an organic close mirroring the intensity of the opening track. The song is quite beautifully simplistic with lyrics that seem stolen from countless diaries entries of unrequited love. Joy’s voice translates the despair and yearning of the lyrics perfectly and creates a strong sense of camaraderie for anyone who has faced heartbreak similar to this. Despite it’s simplicity, From Afar packs a punch straight to the chest and leaves the listener desperate for a happy ending or to hear a moment more of Joy’s voice.
If this is the quality that comes from Vance Joy’s debut EP, his music career will certainly be an amazing experience for Joy and fans alike.
Bethany Williams
Opening the EP, Emmy Lou is a hauntingly beautiful lullaby that despite the lightness of the track has an almost tangible edge of darkness to it. Joy’s voice is a flawless fit with this song, blending through the tone and emotions of the track and creating a breathtaking moment in the EP. The delicate guitar notes add to the depth of the song and flow well with the other instruments, leaving a pensive note.
With a light-hearted ukulele track and a softer side to Joy’s vocals, Snaggletooth is a sweet-to-the-core and simply lovely song to hear. The lyrics are thought provoking and wonderfully heartfelt, and speak genuinely of loving the imperfections of others. The instruments of the song are well balanced and blend with the emotions of Joy’s vocals, creating an absolutely memorable moment of the EP.
From Afar is an honest and heartbreaking song that brings this EP to an organic close mirroring the intensity of the opening track. The song is quite beautifully simplistic with lyrics that seem stolen from countless diaries entries of unrequited love. Joy’s voice translates the despair and yearning of the lyrics perfectly and creates a strong sense of camaraderie for anyone who has faced heartbreak similar to this. Despite it’s simplicity, From Afar packs a punch straight to the chest and leaves the listener desperate for a happy ending or to hear a moment more of Joy’s voice.
If this is the quality that comes from Vance Joy’s debut EP, his music career will certainly be an amazing experience for Joy and fans alike.
Bethany Williams