Joe Maxi – Butterfly (2024)
To define Joe Maxi is not necessarily the easiest thing in the world. From their dabbles in funk to slices of punk, psychedelic rock fluttering along and the various flavours of rock, the foursome are not to be pigeon-holed. An established name in their native Ireland, the alternative rock group is carving a niche with their eclectic sound; however, they are also reaching far beyond Irish borders turning heads on an international scale. Join us as we dive headfirst into one of their recent releases, ‘Butterfly’.
Taken off Joe Maxi’s four-track EP The Game, ‘Butterfly’ continues the raw complexity and hard-hitting weightiness of a sound that is purely Joe Maxi and no one else. Produced with Joe McGuirk, the track leans toward vintage punk in its brash, abrupt explosiveness. Then again, just as there is a punk-driven flavour to ‘Butterfly’, a sliver of hard rock and metal is heard with Lee Reddy’s lead guitar.
Interestingly, just as Jamie Lydon’s bass combines with Louis White’s drums, with Reddy and Fowler on guitars, abrupt distortion oozes from each element; however, within the chaos is a sense of stripped-back solace. Familiar in its vintage tones, but refreshingly new in the heavy punk edginess, ‘Butterfly’ is the slap on the back from an old friend before you jump into a completely new experience – kind of like rock-climbing or sky-diving for the first time.
‘Butterfly’ is insanity and ferocity bound by Mikey Fowler’s gruff vocals twirling about in a dirty, dark, gritty haze. Yet, while organised chaos exudes from Joe Maxi’s single, the track is borne from a love ballad. In our interview with the band, Fowler explains:
“Ironically, the lyrics for ‘Butterfly’ are originally from a stripped-back love song I wrote called ‘Miracle of Mumbai’. The lyrics are about my girlfriend…all about my admiration for her…”
In addition to the single, Joe Maxi released an official music video for ‘Butterfly’. You can view the video below or on their YouTube channel. Please note that this video uses effects that can trigger seizures in people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is strongly advised.
VIEWER DISCRETION IS STRONGLY ADVISED
Find out more about Joe Maxi on their Instagram and Spotify.
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