Nick Rattigan, the face of the group project Current Joys, released his new album in early May 2024. Although this is his new work, Rattigan has released a wide discography throughout his long time in the indie music scene. Rattigan’s Indie Rock classics such as Blondie and A Different Age have dominated Spotify playlists and social media videos for years.
Alongside Current Joys, Rattigan is in the punk-rock band, Surf Curse. Joined by Jacob Rubeck, Surf Curse recorded Freaks, their biggest song in their first album, Buds. Although coming out in 2013, is only now amassing international popular, garnering over 1 billion views on Spotify in 2024.
It is without understatement that you have heard and even enjoyed his music. His original sound was based off the lack of it; simplicity was emphasized in his original and most popular tracks. In fact, most of his original songs, such as Blondie and Motorcycle can be replicated with only an amp, guitar and looper pedal.
With all being said, Current Joy’s new sound is vastly different than the original that thousands had fallen in love with. In 2023, Nick Rattigan released LOVE + POP Pt. 1, followed up by LOVE + POP Pt. 2 in 2024. Although the first part was a big shift in sound, LOVE + POP Pt. 2 is completely unrecognizable.
LOVE + POP Pt. 2 starts decent enough, with songs such as “Chain” and “Talk to Me.” The beginning tracks set up the new and rougher sound of Current Joys, comparable to rough punk and mumble rap, while still supplying the listeners with a strong and familiar energy.
One example is Always Midnight, which is certainly a highlight of the album. The track is dedicated to that clean and soft-spoken Current Joys energy from the early 2010’s, utilizing soft-spoken vocals and an emphasis on background orchestra. With that being said, “Always Midnight” is the only song which hails to this original sound of Current Joys.
After the track “Carti”, the album fails to expand upon this newly-setup sound. As the album continues through its rather short 27-minute runtime, Rattigan’s instrumentation and even lyricism falls apart. Songs instead come off as lazily put-together, audibly displeasing, and worst of all, boring.
The main example of this is “Luctus Mane,” which consists of Rattigan screaming his heart out for 3 minutes and 40 seconds. Rattigan rambles on of his woes in a screechy tone, while ugly instrumentals pair unsupportively with the vocals. Paired with the pleading nature of the rest of the album’s lyrics, “Luctus Mane” comes off as a cry for help.
Nick Rattigan’s music and even his portrayal of himself has changed since his debut tracks released almost a decade ago. Artists do change with time, but usually for the better, yet Rattigan’s musical prowess can be compared to the deteriorating capability of an old amp.
Of course, one could blame the spread of TikTok to be at fault; with the introduction of short-form content, with songs that succeed with simpler, shorter-form structures, artists have been taking advantage of the system. Musicians are rewarded to make simpler, more memorable tunes by creating hooks or rewarding choruses. Or maybe the system has been taking advantage of the artists?
Regardless of social media’s possible impact on Rattigan’s work, his new album still comes off as poor-quality. Because of this, many long-term fans may feel alienated by this new sound. With Current Joy’s new genre being so unrecognizable to his new work, some fans may go into his new music expecting something familiar, while getting something completely different in return. This, at least for me, caused a disconnect between the listener and the artist. Some suggest a new project name for him to fall under, (Lil Ratty?) which would allow Rattigan to try something new out without it garnishing the Current Joys name.
Although art is always art, I cannot get behind Rattigan’s new work; LOVE + POP Pt. 2 comes off as creatively deprived, boring, and even a terrible cry for help to the audience.
