Joshua Lloyd – Sick When I Wake Up (2022)

Influenced by iconic popular artists like Machine Gun Kelly, Blink 182 and Modsun, singer-songwriter Joshua Lloyd melds elements of pop-rock and pop-punk in his sound. This is my introduction to the UK-based artist; however, he is already turning heads in the UK (and beyond). Performing at the Great Escape Festival in 2019, being interviewed with BGL Radio’s Steve Robbins and winning the Electric Music Magazine Best Artist in 2020, Lloyd is doing pretty well. The latest addition to his well-received discography is the EP Sick When I Wake Up.

---

---

Following the release of his critically acclaimed single ‘White Lies’ (which happens to be the first track on Sick When I Wake Up), Lloyd shows his versatility in the five-track EP. Exploring the issues of relationships, heartache and heartbreak through a reflective lens, the EP is a sonic tapestry of kaleidoscopic, um, sound.

Opening with a strong pop-punk style reminiscent of bands like Blink 182 and Fall Out Boy, Joshua Lloyd brings a taste of late-90s/early-2000s pop-punk to the masses. In fact, the majority of the EP has this powerful style, but it doesn’t mean Lloyd is totally pop-punk. Versatility can be heard with mild tinges of heavier rock and pop being brought into the tracks. This is evident in the track ‘Unlucky’ as there is a more hard-hitting sound.

As with ‘White Lies’, there is a melodic arrangement of dynamic guitars and pounding drums in the following tracks – something that seems to punch you in the face. The interesting thing is while each instrument has a prominence, everything appears to come together in a well-layered and textured whole. Add Lloyd’s gruff vocals and you have something to jump about to.

Potentially my favourite track is ‘Sick When I Wake Up’ – a song that looks at both sides of a toxic relationship. Lloyd explains that the song “came about one morning, waking up thinking about how toxic a previous relationship was and feeling sick thinking of that person. I wanted to tell the story from both sides which is where Becki Morgan came in.” The incorporation of female vocals just shows his innovativeness and deeper understanding of how to elegantly portray a specific concept in an intimate way.

Overall, I really enjoyed Sick When I Wake Up for its thoughtful arrangements, profound messages and upbeat, bouncy tone. I can’t wait to see (or rather hear) what else Joshua Lloyd has up his sleeve.

For more from Joshua Lloyd check out his Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.