Glasgow septet The Joy Hotel have unveiled their haunting new single ‘Black Balloon’, the second track from their upcoming debut album Ceremony, which is set to be released on 19th July via SO Recordings.
‘Black Balloon’ follows the album’s lead single ‘Jeremiah’ and explores themes of indescribable tragedy. Vocalist Emme Woods explains, “Black Balloon went through many forms before we finally finished writing it while recording at Rockfield. It feels deeply personal, like a bit of a curse or premonition. In essence, it’s a story about someone losing their baby and helping that person find their way back to health, both physically and mentally.”
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The Joy Hotel, known for their success in the Scottish DIY scene, has toured extensively across the UK and Europe, playing at festivals like Hidden Door, Doune the Rabbit Hole, Connect, TRNSMT, Twisterella, Latitude, Sound City, and The Great Escape.
The band recorded their debut album Ceremony at the legendary Rockfield Studios in Monmouth, Wales, over eleven days. The album combines pop and country songwriting with psychedelic 60s arrangements, six-part vocal harmonies, and elements of noise rock. The result is a bold and ambitious piece that captures themes of hope, regret, love, and the passage of time.
Vocalist Luke Boyce adds, “Ceremony is twelve songs strung together to form one continuous piece of music. In our minds it’s the soundtrack to a film that doesn’t exist. We wanted to encapsulate the pursuit of meaning in daily rituals and the celebration of being alive.”
The Joy Hotel have also announced instore performances to promote Ceremony. The live dates include:
The Joy Hotel 2024 Live Dates:
- 31st May – Fynefest, Argyll, UK
- 6th July – Kelburn Garden Party, Kilmarnock, UK
- 3rd August – SWG3, Glasgow, UK (supporting Belle and Sebastian)
Instore Live Dates:
- 22nd July – Glasgow Assai
- 23rd July – Edinburgh Assai
- 25th July – London, Dash The Henge
Ceremony tracklisting:
- I Decline
- Forever Tender Blue
- First Joy
- Jeremiah
- Black Balloon
- Rapid Eye Movement
- Old Man’s Eyes
- While We’re Young
- No Use
- Twenty Three (A Comedy) – Part 1
- Twenty Three (A Comedy) – Part 2
- Killing Time
- Small Mercy
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