JOSEPH - “Ready To Let You Down”
Photo by Gardenia Miramontes
Indie pop duo JOSEPH, comprised of sisters Natalie and Meegan Closner, embrace imperfection with their hot new single “Ready To Let You Down.”
“Ready To Let You Down” is a tight, punchy anthem that will simply knock you off your feet. Right from the outset you are swept away by a pounding, syncopated back beat which bears a resemblance to “When Doves Cry.” Unlike the Paisley Park banger the composition has a feeling of resolution, has snappy, melodic bridges and pre-choruses, has a bassline… and it sits comfortably in the indie pop rock genre.
Despite being a polished, solid gold indie pop rock banger the vocal never leans in to anything that feels glossy or commercial. It tastefully sits in breathy conversational nuances and is supported by excellent harmonies throughout. The delivery is both vulnerable but also defiant in all the right ways. The performance also nails the “down, down, down” hooks cementing the sublime earworm vibes.
For me, the most remarkable aspect to “Ready To Let You Down” is the strength and attention to detail in the production and mix. The layering is lean in style and feels very HAIM-esque in sound. A touch of warbly electric lead guitar, the rhythmic texture of acoustic guitar, the odd splash of backmasked sounds… yet when coupled with the vocal we get a collage of sound that is slick and fun. Much in the same way as the uncompromising, meticulous Art Angels album by Grimes.
Lyrically, the track explores themes of reclaiming identity in the face of adversity and rejecting perfectionism. Natalie from JOSEPH shares on the track: “Ready To Let You Down is about learning to stop abandoning myself in order to make other people comfortable. I’ve spent most of my life trying to earn love by being what others needed but that only led to burnout, depression, and disconnection. Ready To Let You Down is a turning point. It’s me reclaiming my energy and allowing myself to be imperfect, even if that means disappointing someone else.”
A confident statement of indie pop rock, “Ready To Let You Down” is taken from the album “Closer to Happy” slated for release January 30th via Nettwerk.
Connect with JOSEPH: Bandcamp | Instagram | Youtube | Facebook | TikTok | Spotify
JOSEPH will be setting out on an intimate tour this autumn. Tickets go on sale this Friday here. Here are the dates:
Oct 5 Sonora, CA @ Wildbud Floral Co.
Oct 7 Los Angeles, CA @ TBD
Oct 8 Chula Vista, CA @ Tender Hooligan
Oct 10 Denver, CO @ Petals & Pages Bookstore
Oct 12 Iowa City, IA @ Revival
Oct 14 Minneapolis, MN @ Soundwoven Goods
Nov 12 New York, NY @ The Strangers Project
Nov 13 Falls Church, VA @ Kaleidos
Nov 14 Richmond, VA @ Afterglow Coffee Cooperative
Nov 16 Atlanta, GA @ Brick + Mortar
Nov 18 Johnson City, TN @ 1976 Flowers
Nov 19 Cleveland, OH @ Cool Water Dry Goods
Nov 20 Chicago, IL @ Molasses