Junkyard Romantics – Mona Lisa (2022)

September 30, 2022 Nicole Indie Rock

After meeting in a pub and bonding over their shared frustrations with the music scene, Gaz Calder (vocals) and Rhys Osborne (bass) decided to form a band that would later be known as Junkyard Romantics. Recruiting friends Jake Leighton (lead guitar) and Joey Rattigan (drums), the line-up was completed, and they were ready to rumble…then enter Covid. Yet, instead of sitting on their laurels waiting for pandemic restrictions to ease, the foursome chose to use the time for rehearsal and honing their sound. Now, in 2022, they make their mighty entrance to the scene with the single ‘Mona Lisa’.

Inspired by acts like Arctic Monkeys, David Bowie and Red Hot Chili Peppers, the lads have a hard-hitting and eclectic sound. In ‘Mona Lisa’, there is a leaning toward the 80s indie-rock sound, but the song retains a modern-day vibe in the arrangement. With a combination of dynamic guitars and pounding drums, you are immediately sent into a sonic whirlpool to be tossed about in its high-powered swirl.

While the melody can hold its own as a jaw-droppingly fantastic arrangement, it is the lyricism that highlights their connection with audiences. Junkyard Romantics explains that ‘Mona Lisa’ was inspired by “…those people that don’t like smiling for photos. The feelings of insecurity and anxiety are explored in the verses, while the chorus celebrates the joyous truth that real beauty is found in knowing the one you love better than anybody else does.”

Intoxicating, sincere, sentimental and honest, Junkyard Romantics explore human vulnerability in the empowering single ‘Mona Lisa’. If this is only their debut, I can’t wait to see (or rather hear) what they have coming up.

For more from Junkyard Romantics check out their official website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Spotify.

This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator