A mosaic of musical influences make for a hydra of sound and energy on show in the latest and eleventh studio album from Current Joys.

A HYDRA OF SOUND AND ENERGY

Current Joys, with the Sunday name of Nick Rattigan, has created a mosaic of musical influences in his latest and eleventh studio album since Wild Heart was released in 2013; that’s an impressive 13 year span! After 13 years and 11 albums of studio releases, it’s no wonder that Rosebud struggled as an embryonic project. Prior to a chance meeting with Danny Dwyer (aka never goodbye) the album lived as a collection of slowcore songs written through a difficult period for Rattigan.

Dwyer’s production, collaboration and influence can be felt in every corner of this album. Instead of the original slowcore-penned tracks, we get a “collage of all my influences,” as Nick Rattigan delicately describes. Rosebud doesn’t have a single identify. Instead it’s a hydra of sound and genre; never settling but never unsettling. It’s a smart, eccentric and esoteric selection of tracks whose influences stretch from Shoegaze, Rap, Electronica and Hip-Hop. This is a record that takes Current Joys beyond indie rock into a world of glitchy, emo dark wave that leaves any listener compelled by the variety of songs on offer. 

A Harder Edge

Chaos, Sufferer and Knight Of Swords provide the backbone of the record. These are the tracks where the original slowcore material is pushed furthest towards something altogether more abrasive. Guitars are distorted, rhythms become more urgent and Rattigan’s vocals are given a much harder setting. There are moments where the influence of nu-metal and screamo is difficult to miss, but rather than simply borrowing the aesthetics, these tracks find a way of making that aggression work within the Current Joys sound.

Chaos is an early highlight, twisting and turning through its arrangement with a real sense of unpredictability. Sufferer continues that darker thread, while Knight of Swords brings a concentrated burst of intensity. Together, they give the album its spine. There is a real sense of tension here, but it is balanced by the underlying melodic instincts that stop the songs from disappearing into their own noise.

Softer Soul

For all the heavier moments, it is perhaps the softer side of Rosebud that makes the greatest impression. Hole and Wildfire offer a more immediate connection to the melancholic songwriting that originally shaped the album. Both have an infectious melodic quality, with choruses that linger long after the music has stopped. Wildfire is particularly revealing, and Rattigan himself has identified it as the track that best captures the album’s spirit. Given the circumstances in which the songs were written, there is an emotional weight beneath its more expansive sound.

Then there is Stay (featuring never goodbye), which is a reworking of the Kid Laroi and Justin Bieber hit. It could easily have been a novelty inclusion, but instead becomes one of the album’s more intriguing moments. The familiarity of the melody is retained, yet it sits comfortably within the record’s wider sound. It is an unexpected choice, but one that makes perfect sense when considering Rattigan’s willingness to follow an idea wherever it takes him.

Holding The Collage Together

The remaining tracks continue to stretch the boundaries of the record, moving between different textures and moods without losing that melodic thread. blood on the stereo and skinamarink on the tv add further colour to the album’s more experimental side, while Halloween offers another shift in atmosphere. Swept Away is a particularly strong moment, bringing together the contrasting elements that have made the album such an engaging listen. It is a fitting reminder that, for all the experimentation, Rattigan remains a songwriter who understands the value of a memorable chorus.

In a recent interview, Rattigan spoke about how working with younger collaborators had revitalised his approach to making music. He described the experience as opening himself up to a world where he values collaboration. That enthusiasm is audible throughout the album. There is a looseness and willingness to experiment that feels refreshing, particularly for an artist who has spent much of his career working within the confines of his own DIY approach.

Collaborative Curiosity

What makes the album work is that it never loses sight of the songs themselves. The production is surprisingly rounded, the arrangements have plenty of room to breathe and the different influences rarely feel at odds with one another. Listening on shuffle only reinforces that sense of cohesion; individual tracks have enough personality to stand alone, but collectively they form something much more substantial

Rosebud is not simply a departure from what came before, nor does it feel like an artist chasing a new sound for the sake of it. Instead, it captures Nick Rattigan at a point where collaboration, curiosity and a willingness to take risks have opened up new possibilities. There are enough twists and turns here to keep things interesting, but it is the melodies that ultimately stay with you.

For an album that began life in such uncertain circumstances, Rosebud arrives as a surprisingly confident and complete piece of work. Current Joys may sound different, but the heart of the project remains very much intact.

Here’s Wildfire:

Current Joys: Website

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