Long overdue, but Dutch masters of lo-fi indie rock We Are Joiners are finally making their debut on the Wantlist. A perfect day for a premiere, I’d say!
The NORA EP, which comes out today, is a special one for several reasons. For starters, it likely marks WAJ’s final release made with the trusted yet crappy 50-euro recording device which has been such an integral part of the band’s sound. Up next is a studio album to be produced by Travis Harrison (Guided By Voices, Built To Spill). Exciting times ahead in the WAJ universe!
But let’s focus on today’s special. The NORA EP. NORA is an anagram of Arno, who contributed lyrics to the songs and to whom the EP is dedicated. Arno, “a passionate storyteller who’s had his struggles,” is a longtime friend of We Are Joiner’s songsmith Joep. Arno had to warm up to Joep’s idea: “it was meant as a present. I think he chickened out of the first eight of our appointments.” It all worked out eventually. In two manic nights, the two found each other over words and music, resulting in the five songs on NORA.
To my ears, they sound like classic We Are Joiners. Or as Arno explains “typically Joep.” Or as I’d say: rockin’ in all of its ramshackle pots-and-pans charm. Favorite tracks? Got Yelly? due to its infectious chorus; Turtles, for its punked up Neutral Milk Hotel vibe; Glory Ugh! because it is such a hit, and because I can probably never say Gloria again without thinking of this song.
The NORA EP is out now on Totally Real Records.
Add to wantlist: Bandcamp
Yeahyeahyeaaaaaaaaahhhh!! Congrats you two! We need to have a borrel on that 🤩🥳😋 groetjes en verder veel plezier met samen coole muziek maken.