No Joy Returns with New Album ‘Bugland,’ Teaming Up with Fire-Toolz for Shoegaze Revolution
Montreal-based shoegaze innovators No Joy are back, and they're bringing a fresh, experimental sound to the table with their new album, Bugland. The album, slated for release on August 8th via Hand Drawn Dracula (North America) and Sonic Cathedral (UK), marks a significant evolution for the band, especially with the collaboration of Chicago's own experimental artist, Fire-Toolz.
What can fans expect from this sonic partnership? Think a wild, glitchy, and deeply immersive experience that builds upon the foundations of their previous work, Motherhood. The title track, also named "Bugland," offers a tantalizing glimpse into this new direction, blending No Joy's signature sound with Fire-Toolz's unique electronic textures.
"This was the first song Fire-Toolz & No Joy produced together, initially without any plan to ever release it," reveals Jasamine White-Gluz of No Joy. "Our production styles melded so well together on this track that we decided we should make a whole album. The song came together super organically, from the Korn-esque bass lines to the earworm vocal, it’s the welcome sign of the album letting you know you’ve officially entered our world."
Fire-Toolz (Angel Marcloid) echoes this sentiment, noting the limitless creativity that defined the collaboration: "I didn’t have to adhere to a certain vision in a way that made me feel like I couldn’t be Fire-Toolz. I could easily relate to this album because Jasamine and I liked a lot of the same music, and I was able to be creative in ways that were freeing as if I was making my own album." Fans can expect a sound that seamlessly blends the best of both worlds.
The title track, "Bugland", is accompanied by a visually striking and glitchy video directed by Jeremy Dabrowski, which you can view below:
Get ready to mark your calendars for the Bugland tracklist:
Bugland track list:
01 Garbage Dream House
02 Bugland
03 Bits
04 Save the Lobsters
05 My Crud Princess
06 Bather in the Bloodcells
07 I Hate That I Forget What You Look Like
08 Jelly Meadow Bright [ft. Fire-Toolz]
To celebrate the release, No Joy will be embarking on a tour including dates in the UK and Europe. Catch them if you can:
No Joy – 2025 Tour Dates:
9/06 – Elizabethtown, NY @ Otis Mountain Getdown Festival
10/15 – Manchester @ YES Basement
10/17 – London @ Moth Club
10/18 – Chelmsford @ Hot Box
10/19 – Coventry @ Just Dropped In
10/20 – Glasgow @ Glad Cafe
10/21 – Leeds @ Headrow House
10/23/24 – Rotterdam @ Left of the Dial Festival
10/25: Paris @ Supersonic
10/28: Berlin @ 8mm
With 'Bugland,' No Joy promises a sonic adventure that challenges and delights. How will this collaboration with Fire-Toolz redefine the shoegaze landscape? Let us know your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!