A self-made success story of the late 2010s,
Mt. Joy watched their first few self-released singles ascend the streaming ladder to earn millions of plays and a subsequent record contract with the Dualtone label. A rock act with an affable indie folk appeal, their eponymous 2018 debut further established them as reliable summertime playlist fare and festival favorites. Stepping away from the bedrock of the tracks that made them, the L.A. quintet head into uncharted territory on their 2020 follow-up,
Rearrange Us. Recorded in Portland, Oregon with producer
Tucker Martine (
My Morning Jacket,
the Decemberists),
Rearrange Us is focused both sonically and thematically around themes of growth. Over gently murmuring psychedelic undertones, frontman
Matt Quinn incants his heartfelt refrain to a departing lover, "may you always look forward and may all your love be returned." As the song transitions into its rousing second half, it's clear that
Mt. Joy have their sights set on future chapters of life, love, and career. From the exultant party arpeggios of "My Vibe, Your Vibe," to the ambitious arrangements of standouts like "Death" and "Acrobats,"
Rearrange Us shows a significant improvement in quality from the pleasant, but middling folk-rock of their debut. Amid these more robust tracks, however, are enough of the breezy, but bland offerings, delivered in
Quinn's bluesy mumble, to make the affair sag in various places. Though still a bit short on personality,
Mt. Joy shows bright glimmers of originality on this sophomore set, suggesting interesting things to come.