Joel Stoker- debut album out today!

Joel Stoker’s solo singles ‘My Own War’ and ‘Walls Fall’ have uncovered a very different side to The Rifles frontman. They have seen the singer-songwriter mixing up Americana, folk and soul alongside introspective lyrics which explore the topics that so many men leave unspoken. Now Joel goes deeper into those styles as he releases his debut solo album ‘The Undertow’, which features the new focus track ‘Like I Love You’.

‘The Undertow’ is an album that lifts the spirit and stirs the soul in a set that’s both classically melodic and unflinchingly honest. In contrast to riotous rock ‘n’ roll of The Rifles, the ’70s funk-flecked grooves, festival bangers and fiddle-assisted stomps throughout ‘The Undertow’ reflect influences as varied as Bob Marley, Arcade Fire and Michael Kiwanuka. Thematically it draws upon weighty issues such as depression, anxiety and OCD, but, as most powerfully represented by ‘Down At The Undertow’, it highlights the importance of being able to realise that all things must pass.

Joel says, “I realised that all the songs I was writing were about one thing: anxiety and mental depression. I knew they couldn’t be Rifles songs, but I thought I’d carry on and see where it led me. It was a really lovely experience, and I’m going to keep doing it.”

The result is ‘The Undertow’, a hazy, sun-drenched album which echoes Joel’s fondness for the likes of The Wailers’ ‘Catch A Fire’, Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours’ and Dexy’s Midnight Runners’ ‘Too-Rye-Ay’. A hazy, sun-drenched album with a bone-dry, ‘70s tone, its songs coalesce acoustic guitar, stark piano and emotive strings around Joel’s expressive, heartfelt and at times tender vocals. It’s all feeling, no filler.

Amidst the wrought emotions, the new focus track ‘Like I Love You’ comes from a more comfortable place. From a slow-burning, whistled intro (think Fred Neil’s ‘Everybody’s Talkin’), it builds into a euphoric, punch-the-air anthem.

He adds, “I’ve actually had ‘Like I Love You’ the longest. What actually inspired it was hearing that Michael Kiwanuka song ‘Cold Little Heart’ on the TV show ‘Big Little Lies’. I loved that haunting melody. So that’s how it began, with the acoustic guitar and the whistling.”

Joel had always written songs away from The Rifles, but never really had the time to give them the focus or to provide the outlet that they deserved. But with all touring on hold during lockdown, he took the opportunity to write a whole new body of work at his home studio at the bottom of his garden. It was not only a highly creative time, but also one in which his relative isolation provided the space for him to reflect on both his personal experiences as well as those of his family and friends. He then performed vocals, guitar, bass and percussion at his own Right Hook Recording studio in Walthamstow, with contributions from drummer Brendan O’Neill and Rifles pianist Dean ‘Deano’ Mumford. The record’s widescreen atmospherics were then heightened with the addition of brass and string arrangements.

In addition to its digital release, physical formats of ‘The Undertow’ are also available HERE.

Joel Stoker recently played his first solo show in a particularly high profile setting when he performed as guest to Liam Gallagher at KOKO. His touring in support of ‘The Undertow’ gets underway tomorrow with a homecoming headline show at the Walthamstow Trades Hall. Remaining tickets for the tour are available HERE.

SEPTEMBER
2nd – London, Walthamstow Trades Hall (LOW TICKETS)
14th – Birmingham, Dead Wax
21st – Liverpool, Jimmy’s (upstairs)
22nd – Stockton-on-Tees, NE Volume Bar
28th – Preston, The Ferret

OCTOBER
12th – Atherton, The Snug (JUST ADDED)

NOVEMBER
2nd – Newport, Le Pub (JUST ADDED)
16th – Aldershot, West End Centre (JUST ADDED)

Joel Stoker’s solo career represents a new adventure after he established a loyal cult following with The Rifles. The band have released a host of acclaimed albums, the most recent two of which achieved the highest chart positions of their career, as well as playing numerous sold-out tours, and picking up famous fans including Paul Weller, Madness and Ian Broudie. They’re back in action with a headline show at London’s Electric Ballroom on October 27th, followed by the Shiiine On Weekender on November 17th, and are working on their first studio album since 2016’s ‘Big Life’.