Artificial Joy Club

Heavy issues aside, Artificial Joy Club delivers powerful, tuneful sounds that prove intellectually accessible across both their compositions and words. On their first Interscope release, Melt, the group produces tracks that are simultaneously direct and moving, fully charged with feeling. The Ottawa, Canada contingent—Sal, guitarist Leslie Howe, bassist Tim Dupont, guitarist Michael Goyette, and drummer Andrew Lamarche—stand out as accomplished players who are also forthright and unreserved. Consistent with their origins, the members remain humorous and sharply perceptive. Attracted to junk and pop culture, city legends, and inner reflection, Melt weaves in allusions to Vulcans, Kevorkian, gerbils, Forrest Gump, pogo sticks, cheeky monkeys, and Pete Best.