REVIEW: Virgin Forest - Joy Atrophy

Virgin Forest – Joy Atrophy
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There’s something rather indescribable about the feeling that comes over you while driving through the dark on a desolate road, the headlights providing the only source of light; the feeling that comes over you when you humble yourself with a walk through the vast expanse of a forest; or the feeling that comes over you while you travel across the golden brown countryside, cutting through the dense, cold air outside. And while it may be more about the sullenness of heartache, a listen through Virgin Forest’s debut, Joy Atrophy, captures the essence of these special moments.

Folk music, while at times simplistic, lends itself to a wealth of detail for how well it succinctly tackles the heart of the issue, or issues at hand, with just a voice and a guitar – much like country is often said to be “three chords and the truth.” Virgin Forest take this succinctness and play it with a loose rock ‘n’ roll feel, providing Joy Atrophy with a fluidity and down-to-earth charm. And lest you think this is all thanks to some studio magic, it must be noted that the album was recorded live in a mere three days. The band consists of former members of Castanets and current members of Phosphorescent, and after consistent touring and miles logged between the two bands, Virgin Forest has undoubtedly forged a musical kinship. By playing in accord with this unspoken soulful, musical bond, the band instills a road-weathered, experienced tone to their music.

The instrumentation and tones all work together quite well on Joy Atrophy. Scott Stapleton sings in a relaxed, introspective voice, one that occasionally sounds as though he’s holding back the pain. When he and Elizabeth Barfield duet on standout “How Long,” they harmonize with a crestfallen inflection that’s just as gorgeous as it is sobering. The ease of expression in his voice works well over the album’s acoustic guitar-as-percussion and sheen of reverb. On songs like “Imaginary Love” and “South Beach,” the band meets the voices of Stapleton and Barfield with the pairing of folk’s intimacy and the distant, reverb-coated guitar atmospherics of post-rock to great affect. “My Only Friend” is great cut of Americana rock, with a bright acoustic guitar underscored by subtle piano chords and a detail-rich lead guitar riff. Like much of the album, it is just as beautiful and affecting as seeing larger-than-life, majestic mountains passing by the car windows, hiding their heads in the clouds.

With only one song cracking the three minute mark, the songs can at times seem to end just as soon as they begin to take off, making them sometimes feel almost unfinished; at other times it makes you yearn for extended versions of the songs. Repeated listens of Joy Atrophy leave one with the impression that for Virgin Forest, short and sweet was the aim, and, for some, that might be what keeps things interesting, leaving an aftertaste and desire for more. The instrumental closer “Everything,” the longest song on the album at just over six minutes, is great on its own, but, as a conclusion, it plays into the feeling that there’s something missing, as though there could have been a more effective and fitting finale.

Clocking in at just under 28 minutes with 10 tracks, Joy Atrophy is quick, but enjoyable. Overall, it may be a rather simplistic record, but it’s a record that’s honest in its execution and flush with a rustic charm. It may never reach any true points of jaw-dropping strength, but it’s a pleasant listen full of raw, genuine emotion that never sees Virgin Forest trying to put on airs. The music is influenced by heartache just as much as it is by the band’s shared passion for what they’re doing. Joy Atrophy is an album that crosses the loneliness of the road with the loneliness of heartbreak, an album that shines in its melancholy. With great candor and a direct sound, Virgin Forest have crafted an idyllic record that is capable of extending past its humble beginnings. Because whether or not you’re walking through a forest or driving on an open road through the countryside, Joy Atrophy is certainly relatable, filled with emotions we’ve all felt or will come to feel some day.

BUY: Joy Atrophy is out now on Heartbreak Beat Records. Pick it up here.