TRUST - Joyland

Gallant, atmospheric and desirably ostentatious - ‘Joyland’ makes a proud follow-up to Robert Alfons’ 2012 not-quite-self-titled debut, ‘TRST’.

By no means is this a sit-at-homer – ‘Joyland’ deserves both your legs and some liquid rehydration. Whilst tracks are stressed but beautiful everything is tied together through clean, high-quality production.

Ethereal opening track, ‘Slightly Floating’, is dogged by a dormant bass which hints at shadowy things to come. Thankfully, the vocals don’t take ownership of the album, instead working with it to highlight the darkness within. Additionally, there’s a relentless Jekyll and Hyde quality in Alfons’ voice. They are pitch-shifted, modulated and flung from bottom bass to flowery falsetto. ‘Are We Arc’ is a perfect example of TRUST’S effeminate choruses contrasting with thick verse; a marriage made in techno heaven.

TRUST takes upbeat synth-pop and casts it into the shadows, ultimately, creating that contention which characterises his music. There are no half measures in ‘Joyland’, it’s a simple case of throwing in everything that’s rich and syncopated and somehow making it work.

With three-note hooks and lofty, helium tones - flagship tracks like ‘Capitol’ and ‘Joyland’ stand as a great introduction for those who are new to the rebirth of ‘80s club, before being taken on to the erratic and avant-garde second half of the album. Seventh track, ‘Four Gut’, is a stellar invention based on heavily phased and multi layered synths. High timbre percussion cuts between the threatening lyrics “line ‘em up”, whilst the sound of broken robot keys marches off-beat. This displays TRUST as an expressionist – showing off abilities in sound control, twisting motifs and crafting unrelenting rhythms.

Although playful in a creative way, this is a serious album. Clichés are remade, drum machines are back on stage and don’t say goodbye to those galactic lasers just yet. TRUST doesn’t pay homage to the ‘80s, he damn well rewrites it.