The Joy Formidable – Wolf's Law

“Oh wow!” exclaimed Withered Hand when he recently guest reviewed The Joy Formidable’s lead single Cholla in these very pages. “That’s a good riff, no messing about.” Whether the concept of straight-up, heavy and hook-laden guitar riffs seems a little redundant to you, or it’s your reason for getting up in the morning, it’s one of those unguarded and astute assessments that’s hard to shake off.

Wolf’s Law, the group’s second album, is stuffed to the brim with such scuzzy-pop excesses, sometimes to the detriment of the overall song, but usually carried off with such panache that it’s difficult to care. Even when the Welsh trio deliver the somewhat overblown Maw Maw Song, their unbridled gusto and apreggiated fretwork salvo will likely subdue you into some form of appreciation. It’s not subtle, inventive or particularly varied, but Wolf’s Law makes for some damn good fun, and a twinkling reminder of the instantaneous rush that only music can deliver.