WACO – Rock Spirit Absolute Joy | Album Review

Some record titles are vague, purposefully open to interpretation. Some transparently state the respective album’s themes. Rock Spirit Absolute Joy is firmly in the later category; it's literally what it says on the tin.

The latest record from the self-proclaimed cosmic space punks WACO, Rock Spirit Absolute Joy is ten tracks of unbridled joy and punk empowerment that refuse to waver in the face of resounding adversity and sociopolitical misery. It’s hardly surprising though, given WACO’s long established penchant for finding the faintest of silver linings in the darkest of times. The quintet’s past two records – 2019’s Human Magic and 2020’s Hope Rituals – where released in the wake of the tragic passing of their former bassist Chris Cowley. But despite the heartbreaking background, they where both releases of positivity and love, offerings filled with mantras urging one to live their life with compassion and love. Rock Spirit Absolute Joy is a continuation of such teachings, one expressed with prismatic punk dynamism – for the most part.

Much akin to it’s predecessor, Rock Spirit Absolute Joy is a punk record in the most thematic of ways but in the loosest of sonics. Much like WACO themselves, it’ll be pointless to even attempt to tidily categorise it – there’s simply so much going on here. This is something proven with the one-two-three punch of the three opening tracks ‘Millionaire’, ‘The World’ and ‘Elevation’. Whilst the first in the trio is an almost frustrated and dirty punk rock expression of breaking free of society’s ills in the key of 80’s punk, ‘The World’ – one of the record’s most memorable moments – is a sunny pop anthem, complete with twinkly percussion and triumphant woodwinds optimised for bellowing out in the last of the summer heat. In contrast, ‘Elevation’ is an alt rock swagger that emits a sense of energetic punk carefreeness. Whilst these tracks an apt introduction to the styles of the record, Rock Spirit Absolute Joy has so much more to offer musically, with campfire rock, hardcore and late 20^th century pop rock making welcome appearances as the record continues on.

However, whilst these attempts in genre experimentation are executed with full endearing conviction, there are times where such dynamism isn’t realised to it’s full potential. ‘The New Wave Of British Denim’ – a comedic track lecturing the listener on the environmental impact of denim production – see’s the band dabbling with both classic hardcore and the sound of NWOBHM without truly committing to either genre. Similarly, ‘Next Romance’ stalls the bombastic and youthful energy with rustic acoustics that fail to resonate the passion within the lyricism and ‘Better Place’ flirts with proggy psych without fully making the connection. These aren’t bad songs in the slightest – far from it – but they do slightly miss the bar raised by the album highlights such as ‘The World’ for example.

Such minute issues don’t distract from the Rock Spirit Absolute Joy’s lovable energy, sunny disposition and commitment to positivity and collectiveness though. Every one of these ten tracks urges you to adopt the WACO mindset of smiling through the mire of modern life and to address ones mental wellbeing in a way that’s positive and healing. ‘Hardships Will Happen’ fully encapsulates the record’s spirit, with the zingy and danceable track admitting that life isn’t easy but seeking love is the best way to counteract the pain. Admittedly and in theory, such urgings to live life to the fullest in the face of economic and political pressures could come across as arrogant without the context of the record, but Rock Spirit Absolute Joy is a healing and cathartic experience. It’s self-aware of it’s teachings, addressing and explaining them with infectious optimism and charismatic dictation.

Rock Spirit Absolute Joy is a healing lesson that captures the final rays of the summer sun in musical form. Those wishing for loose and experimental major key punk will find plenty to revel in here, but for everyone else lies a record resonating self-aware positivity for all to consume. Even the most stoic among us will fail to be endeared by this record’s joy. In all, in times of worry and stress like these, more bands like WACO are needed.