“Joyology” is the 5th release from “Bloomfield Machine,” the brainchild of the skilled musician Brian Kassan. If you’re not sure in what mood you are, what you’re feeling, or how to process it all, then this album is ideal for you. It will make you embrace your feelings and thoughts and act upon them.
The album has been structured brilliantly; all the 18 tracks are well arranged, with attention paid to every detail. The titles are chosen wisely and conveniently for what the tracks have inside. The blend of Indie Rock and Electronic Music is a splendid experience. With this mixture and the creative musicianship, Bloomfield Machine has its own genuine sound. The tracks swing between bright and dark, gleeful and melancholic, melodic and noisy, just like how human emotions shift.
The opening track, “Shades of White,” sounds exactly like its title. That’s the only way to put it. It feels like the beginning of a relationship, with its excitement, anticipation, tension, first angry fights, and some confusion. “Cathedral Of Rhetoric” begins brightly with soft chords and straightforward percussion, but as it progresses, it feels as if we’re approaching a story’s climax. You’ll find important memories flashing in your mind, from the finest to the bleakest.
It kicks off with an edgy ambiance in “DNA Harvest.” The dynamic drums have the feel of rapid heartbeats. The entire track sounds like some tangled thoughts in mind with heartache, but by the end of it, there’s an enlightenment moment that makes it all at ease. It’s funny how the first thing that came to my mind about the previous track was that it was the sound of tangled thoughts, only to be followed by “Entanglement.” It really showcases that there is no discrepancy between how each track is different and unique and the fact that they all complete each other somehow. This one sounds more glitchy and noisy, which makes it ideal to describe the conflict, tangled thoughts, and the major ones that result in stomachaches and heartaches.
“My Different Selves” has elated beats. From the intro to the outro, you’ll find yourself bouncing and dancing. It’s plainly the sound of the sensations of making peace with oneself, or in that case, one’s many selves. It’s the second track to have all-around joyous vibes, as “Happiness Calculator” was the first. “The Last Polymath” goes back to the balance between light and dark. The first half has some pleasant and energetic riffs, and the second has a stringed instrument that gives it a dramatic touch.
In “variator,” there is celebration, victory, liberation, and rejoice. It’s as if all the sadness has vanished, and it’s now the beginning of a new chapter in a delightful new beginning. “Vicissitudes” is epic! The passionate, headbanging drums set the mood for you. All these elements combine to arouse your emotions. You’ll feel like you’re reaching the end of something, but don’t know yet whether the closure is beneficial or harmful.
Finishing with “Wrong Button,” the album’s shortest track. How this one sounds, with its title, left me with question marks, such as in novels or movies with open endings. It’s just like we were following a story where the lead character was facing ups and downs and trying to find the silver lining. Did he find it? It’s like a mystery that popped up at the last minute.
I can’t guarantee how you’ll feel after listening to this album. But that’s the beauty of it; you’ll have your own personal experience and feel what resonates with you. Listen to “Joyology” below and get ready to start your own story with outstanding background music that perfectly fits each chapter.