“Lucy,” the new single released earlier this month by Mt. Joy, had me flooding tears within the first minute and fifteen seconds. Most bands seem to have at least one song that’s an ode of retribution to someone or something long lost. But I don’t even know where to begin when it comes to the pain, yet comforting essence, that resonates so deeply within this song. It takes shape through every single lyric, for starters. And upon hearing the inspiration behind it, the sorrow and uplift I feel makes perfect sense.
Mt. Joy has been an active band in Los Angeles since 2016, originally hailing from Philadelphia. With a successful streaming takeoff of their first two singles, “Astrovan” and “Sheep,” they had already played Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza, even opening for acts like The Shins by 2018. By 2019, they debuted on the Billboard New Artist chart, and their success was undying from there on, since touring with the likes of Dave Matthew’s and The Lumineers over the years just to name a few.
“Lucy” will be featured on Mt. Joy’s fourth studio album, Hope We Have Fun, set to launch at the end of this month while they continue touring. The song’s initial formation stems from two prolific events – playing a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden, then running into a long lost friend whom shares the diagnoses of a recent terminal illness. All within the same evening and all within the same moment. I can only imagine the mindset writer and lead singer Matt Quinn was thrust into. A world we live in where moments of such monumental highs and lows can literally come out of nowhere simultaneously, leaving one breathless and floored.
That message of uplift and that feeling of sorrow is portrayed so vividly perfect in “Lucy.” Being at one’s highest state of fragility yet somehow putting forth the most strength and courage you’ve ever had to undergo. Such a beautiful essence and ode to life behind both. Pause, breathe, and get ready for smiles and tears as you listen to this one. Hope We Have Fun is expected to be released on May 30th.
“Lucy” is released ahead of Mt. Joy’s fourth album Hope We Have Fun, out May 30th on their new label Bloom Field Recordings. Pre-order available here.
Leave a Reply