Mxmjoy

P.e.a.c.e.

Label: London Field Recordings

Genre: Rock / Pop

Availability

LP €19.99

In Stock

Birthed from the seminal 1980s post-punk band Maximum Joy, MXMJoY is the dramatic reimagining by founding members Janine Rainforth and Charlie Llewellin. Their brand new album, ‘p.e.a.c.e.’ is due for a limited edition vinyl release in February 2019 via Janine’s own label, London Field Recordings.

A pivotal point in Bristol’s dub-informed lineage, Pitchfork compared Maximum Joys sound to "one of the Slits backed by the Gang of Four”, while PopMatters said, "Musically, the group’s use of complex percussion, horns, danceable bass lines, and overtly English female vocals built a bridge between the worlds of Afrobeat, reggae, avant-garde jazz, funk and pop". Returning with a new line-up and all new material, MXMJoY have crafted an album that remains faithful to their roots but showcases an expanded experimental direction into dark electronics and expertly used samples and effects. An immediately enchanting album, ‘p.e.a.c.e’ also explores lush synthscapes, deep house hooks and a pop sensibility partnered with that unmistakable and bewitching vocal. The album was then written and recorded between Rainforth’s Hackney Studio and Llewellin in the US. Joining them on the tracks are prolific bassist Marek Bero, guitarists James Byron and Jono Trott who contributed their own unique sounds, and drummer Miroslav Haldina who brings analogue tones and depth to the records machine beat backing. They also enlisted David McEwen, who’s worked with Janine on her solo project and is long time sound engineer for On-U Sound and Adrian Sherwood’s recordings and Asian Dub Foundation, to work with them on the overall sound.

Across ten masterfully produced tracks you’ll hear an epic amalgamation of their wide scope of influences, and as ever tied up into the unique MXMJoY package. The title track and entrancing ‘Daughters of Tomorrow’ open the album with fittingly trip-hop beats and gloriously catchy choruses while songs like ‘Can Man Conquer It All’ and ‘Ultraviolet’ dwell in darker spaces melodically, with dreamlike washes of keys and delicate guitars. Elsewhere album highlights ‘Archetype’ and ‘We Breathe’ boast some of the strongest songwriting of MXMJoYs career with unforgettable vocal performances and lush electric guitar tones.