Greek punk rockers THE OVERJOYED release their new self titled album, a bold step forward that sharpens and expands their signature sound. Combining a Bay Area punk style with a more approachable pop sensibility, the Athens-based band continues to channel melodic lines via force, this time with even more confidence.
The self-produced record represents a significant evolution. Moving away from the crisper nineties punk tones of Aced Out, the band delves into dirtier, mid-tempo power pop terrain with a stronger rock 'n' roll flair. The new track, Spark, is a standout, encapsulating the album's sheer intensity and hook-driven impact.
Speaking of the album opener, vocalist Leo says: “The reason ‘Can’t Write Music’ is the opening of this album is self-explanatory. I was in a really dark place a couple of years ago, struggling with self-identity, drugs, a break-up… all while in parallel I was living in a world recovering from a world-wide epidemic and a social-political mass hysteria. Whilst many people used this opportunity to write music, I couldn’t. I still haven’t recovered from this block 100%. So I wrote this song and completed it in just an evening. I like that irony.“
Tha band unveils: “The lyric “You say noise annoys but me I don’t mind” pay homage to The Buzzcocks as both sayings are song titles of theirs but also explain what I wanted to say. The chorus is also a bit influenced by them.”
Formed in 2011, The Overjoyed debuted with the EP 32, followed by the full length releases Boomdoggle (2016), Aced Out (2019), and Pressurepop (2023). Over the years, they’ve shared stages with Green Day and The Offspring and appeared at major festivals including Release Festival, Ejekt Festival, Manchester Punk Festival, KNRD Fest, and Vive Le Punk Rock Festival, cementing their reputation as one of Greece’s most electrifying punk exports.
They conclude: “This record is both a new chapter for the band and a cultivation of our previous work, our influences, us growing up, changing and evolving. We can't wait to share it with the world cause we are really fucking proud of this one.”
ZR