Faith is rarely a straight road, and in Mysterious Ways, the up-and-coming genre-fluid evocateur Joyland trails its winding paths with a diaphanous acoustic score that filters spirituality through the lens of Americana folk.
Vulnerability pours from the vocal notes, cascading into hushed guitar rhythms so quiescent they resound like whispered secrets. The candour in the lyrics flows effortlessly, while the female backing vocals layer against a honeyed timbre that falls between the magnetism of Cash, Cohen, and Waits.
Known for bending genres to their will, Joyland thrives in contrast. Their music oscillates between soulful folk gospel and high-octane rock, never adhering to expectations but always delivering with raw emotional intensity. With Mysterious Ways, they strip things back to explore faith, fortitude, and the weight of the unknown, proving that their sonic range stretches from raucous to reverent with equal potency.
When the lap steel strings join, the track reaches an aching crescendo before salvation and consolation envelop the release, offering the reassurance that the right path is always within reach. While some tracks preach, Mysterious Ways simply speaks, offering listeners a place to find their own meaning in its echoes.
Mysterious Ways is now available to stream on all major platforms, including YouTube.
Review by Amelia Vandergast