Unlike 2021’s Quietly Blowing It, Hiss Golden Messenger’s latest was written mostly on the road, with the band spending the 2022 calendar year touring constantly. And the happiness of finally being out there playing shows night after night is almost palpable throughout. There’s a reason the latest is called Jump For Joy.
Across 14 new songs, the band sings a lot about hope (“Nu-Grape,” “Jesus Is Bored”) and finding happiness (“Shinbone,” “Jump for Joy”). “I knew that I wanted this record to be full of joy because if we’re standing at some kind of finish line of human civilization—and I’m not saying that we are, but some days it sure feels that way—then I want to go out dancing,” said singer/songwriter M.C. Taylor. “That’s what I wanted Jump for Joy to feel like: Dancing at the end of time. Laughing in the face of catastrophe.” The band still brings along its trademark blend of folk, pop, and Americana. It’s just a little more joyful this go-round.
The album’s opening track, “20 years and a Nickel,” with the soft steady drum beat under a strong piano line and lyrics about trying to write the perfect songs, beautifully sets the pace for the rest of the album. “I Saw the New Day in the World,” with its synth intro and pessimistic lyrics is a bit of an outlier musically from the rest of the album, but the positivity can be found elsewhere throughout the record. “Shinbone,” surprisingly written when Talyor was coming out of dealing with a long bout of depression, serves as an emotional loadstar for the album, chiding the listener to “take that chance,” while the peppy “Nu-Grape,” is addictively cheerful, with a message about being cool with the unknown.
Compared to his last two records – both beautiful but dealing with heavy topics (the passing of Taylor’s father and then the loneliness and uncertainty of the global pandemic) – Jump For Joy finds the clouds parting and Taylor and his band finally reveling in the possibility of happier times. The uncertainty is still there, but this time tinged with optimism.
