ALBUM REVIEW: Joyride – Charlie & Margot
CHARLIE & MARGOT is the brainchild of Matteo DeBenedetti, named in fact for he and his wife’s two dogs. Having been a songwriter since he was a child, DeBenedetti has spent the last decade in various DIY bands on the East Coast and now CHARLIE & MARGOT gives DeBendetti a chance to showcase his love of all genres particularly within the alternative music spectrum.
Dream is a joyful opening song. It doesn’t have a lot of instruments in the verses apart from a gentle guitar strumming in the background. This allows DeBenedetti‘s vocals to be front and centre. He has a lovely voice that suits the music well. And whilst the choruses involve more instruments than the guitar, they do not lessen the impact of the song. It is a fun track that sets the tone of the album going forward.
SkipTown is a continuation of the mid-tempo feel of opening song. This keeps the pacing of the album nice and even; furthermore, the song manages to differentiate itself from the opener by including more instruments. Although it does not deviate from the formula of the choruses being high energy and the verses being mid-tempo, it’s a bit like a grown-up version of the opening song.
The album only has eight tracks, but it manages to cover a lot of genres in that short time. Whether that is the acoustic gentleness of the title track, which feels like getting a warm hug from a loved one, or the indie pop of Ghost, the album focuses on a wide but accessible genre. CHARLIE & MARGOT embrace the vastness of the indie genre and allow it to engulf the record. Most bands who decide to mix genres up usually try to have everything but the kitchen sink, usually to their detriment, but this album proves that it is possible to explore different avenues of music and not lose sight of yourself.
The pacing of the album is also helped by keeping the record within the constraints of the indie genre. Although some songs are a little more uptempo, there is something refreshing about the overall mid-tempo of the album. It is a fresh take on music that might not sound too different to plenty of other indie bands out there, but it is overall a more laidback approach. Whilst some people might view the album as a bit samey, if you take the time to sit down and listen properly, you will find some magic in there.
Overall, CHARLIE & MARGOT have made a fantastic debut. It won’t please everyone at first, but how can they not be won over by the sweet, mid-tempo, relaxed indie sound? The songs have their own individuality. The love and care that they have been given is clear from the first play. Joyride is indeed a joy to listen to and its stripped back vibes are needed in a time like this. Life can feel like it is constantly moving in fast-forward and we are burning ourselves out by trying to keep up with the pace, but music like this reminds us that life is best enjoyed when we slow down and take some time out for ourselves. We all need a soundtrack for those times. Thankfully, Joyride has come along just in time.
Rating: 9/10
Joyride is set for release on April 7th via self-release.
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