Joveth – Lonely Boy
While not exactly roots-Americana or folk-rock, the 6 songs that grace Joveth – Lonely Boy (Dropped April 5/Voracious Records/21:05) are melodic with some nice musical flourishes. The purists will not appreciate the electronics & vocal treatments, but the title track, while somewhat pop & repetitious, is catchy. Composition-wise, the song is well-arranged & performed with gusto.
There aren’t many philosophical or deeply crafted lyrics but it’s basically an effort to surround the listener with interesting soundscapes. They’re not quite as heavy as David Luckhurst’s Crazy House from years ago, but Joveth also tips a generous toe into dance-oriented music & is definitely not going to lasso every aficionado of Americana. The blend of genres is good though. The Philippine-born, Sweden-raised & currently U.S.-based Joveth knows enough about American R&B, pop, rock, electronica & dance grooves to be convincing. While I don’t care too much for “Say My Name,” the musical conclusion of the track is instrumentally exciting. Talent abounds.
Some will say he’s a versatile artist & he is. But there’s little here that’s transformative, innovative, or different. What Joveth lays down that’s of interest is that he doesn’t embellish the music with high-tech swishes. Instead, he does focus on melody & strives to create something that has depth, more so than basic electronica & synth-heavy artists. To his credit.
He’s not quite Kraftwerk but there’s a tinge of compelling lyrical voicings in “Burn It” but the words are somewhat buried in the synths. I could only make out some words but never all. If the deep synth chords that carousel in & out midway through the composition were replaced by a baritone sax honk it would balance the electronics & be an in-your-face beauty.
The catchiest mainstream tune on the album is “Bubblegum” — a driving effort with commercial potential. Sung well despite the electronics & performed with vigor, foot tapping & hand-clapping energy. Joveth’s vocals are also far improved here. Because of the electronics & techno circuitry, let’s not fool ourselves, there’s little soul in the music. Joveth manages to skillfully replace it with technology in his music that at least suggests some feeling. But not what I would consider soul.
The more techno-focused music publications & reviewers will find plenty to like in this work & should. But for an Americana-roots-based audience, it’s the green apple in a bushel of red Macintoshes. The apple is still good to eat but it’s going to be tart compared to what their tastes are accustom to. So, discriminating tastes will have to sample the music first & the gamblers can take a chance & may find something worthwhile anyway.
Highlights – “Lonely Boy,” “Burn It” & “Bubblegum.”
Images courtesy of Joveth’s website. CD @ Bandcamp & https://www.joveth.com/
