The Joy Formidable are not quite the household name yet, but these true indie rockers, straight out of Whales, have finally found their overdue gratification with audiences around the world. As someone who has personally followed this band from before it’s first EP was even released in 2008, I can definitely say it was rather a shock to turn on an American radio station in 2011 and have my ear’s greeted by The Joy Formidable. Now indie music jet-lag is nothing new with the amount of artist I get into early on, but when the band you’ve already been listening to is one of the most influential bands of your life you have to take a second and breath when they finally break through to those around you.

“Whirring” – The Joy Formidable

It comes to me as no surprise that out of all The Joy Formidable’s absolutely stunning, loud and vivacious rock music, that audiences favor the nearly 7 minute epic of a track Whirring. A complete journey of the rock landscape in and of itself. This track sits prominently in the center of my number ten album of 2011; The Big Roar.

1. “The Everchanging Spectrum of a Lie”*  7:44
2. “The Magnifying Glass”  2:19
3. “I Don’t Want to See You Like This”*  4:18
4. “Austere”*  3:30
5. “A Heavy Abacus”*  3:40
6. “Whirring”*  6:47
7. “Buoy”*  4:51
8. “Maruyama”  1:46
9. “Cradle”*  2:46
10. “Llaw = Wall”  3:44
11. “Chapter 2”  3:08
12. “The Greatest Light Is the Greatest Shade”*  5:20

*Notable tracks

Open and listen to The Joy Formidable’s The Big Roar in Spotify.