Album Review: Mt Joy – 'Rearrange Us'

Having released a string of singles over the last few months, indie folk outfit Mt. Joy return with the beautiful sophomore album ‘Rearrange Us’.

‘Rearrange Us’ is music for cars – soft and gentle, not bending over backwards for attention, but so meticulously produced that every moment of conscious listening is filled with pure adoration. Intricate folk melodies are broken up by genre-bending elements; sometimes a little dose of blues, others a sprinkle of country. Mt. Joy have mastered the art of effortlessly switching between moods. At times, even in the space of a single song as in ‘Come With Me’, that starts off rather pensive with a choir of soft-spoken voices only to turn into somewhat chaotic but definitely uplifting country energy. 

Standout track on the album has got to be the emotional masterpiece ‘Every Holliday’. A striking ballad tackling depression in both its heavy piano-led melody and heart-sinking lyricism – “Merry Christmas Babe, I hope we make it through.” Though ‘Become’ and ‘Strangers’ more than deserve – nay demand - an honourable mention: The two songs closing out the album that so perfectly run into each other they might well be two sides of the same delicately crafted coin. 

With ‘Rearrange Us’, Mt. Joy have created an impressive second album that not only showcases their skill and their eye for detail but unbound potential to rearrange the folk landscape one song at a time.

Words by Laura Freyaldenhoven

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