Joyce Manor might have a shiny new record deal with Hollywood punk powerhouse Epitaph, but the Californians have kept things decidedly lo-fi on their third album. From the moment the lazy chords of opener ‘Christmas Card’ trundle out of the speakers, what’s in store becomes clear: vintage slacker punk. Punctuated by singer Barry Johnson’s throaty vocals, this is the kind of record that made Weezer and The Replacements so brilliant. ‘Falling In Love Again’ is a dozy love song, ‘Heart Tattoo’ is a rollicking mid-’90s Green Day anthem and ‘In The Army Now’ is a spiky lament. It’s not much more than the sum of its influences, but when its influences are this strong, it really doesn’t matter.
Tom Goodwyn