Setting the tone with a textured riser and vibrant electric guitar, Junkyard Romantics open Mona Lisa with a question as they ask, “What’s your excuse for going around me?”, before a vie for honesty with the lyrics, “Tell me the truth…”
The opus expands into an indie rock meets alternative pop energy as the band from London, featuring Gaz Calder, Jake Leighton, Joey Rattigan and Rhys Osborne, takes us on an immersive and emotive journey with their debut.
Speaking on the meaning of the song, Junkyard Romantics tell us that “Mona Lisa was inspired by those people that don’t like smiling for photos.” They add with wisdom and reference to the structure of the song, “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.”
Psychedelic guitars, passionate vocal delivery and intricate drums envelope us as the band sings the mesmerizing hook, “Mona Lisa, she never smiles, but there’s something in the way she looks right through me, as if to say, you’re doing it to me…”
We appreciate the depth and poetic nuance of the composition, and the emotive chord changes really add dimensionality. We are in awe of the sound design intricacies which really elevate the piece, drawing from a multitude of rock genres.
We learn that Junkyard Romantics got together in London in 2020 during the pandemic, and cite David Bowie, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Artic Monkeys, Oasis and Paramore as influences, which we can feel come through in Mona Lisa, although it is clear that the band is creating a sound of their own.
We have added Mona Lisa to our New Music Spotlight playlist, whilst we anticipate further releases from Junkyard Romantics!