On their audacious second album, Sick Joy set their sights on anthemic epics to whip the alt-rock scene into a frenzy. With multi-instrumentalist and singer Mykl Barton channeling and exorcising personal demons, ‘More Forever’ is a meaty, purifying release from the Brighton trio that falls just short of doing something unique.
The cathartic All Damage leads the charge with booming drums and blistering riffs designed to antagonise you into angst-ridden euphoria — during the blistering, larger-than-life chorus you can almost feel the tribal bounce of the pit taking hold.
Echoing genre heavyweights Bring Me the Horizon or Linkin Park, alt-rock diehards and emos will welcome ‘More Forever’ with open arms, with Sick Joy doing nothing to hide their arena ambitions on seismic tracks such as Nothing Good and Anything Goes.
Bearing his soul, Barton offers up anguish and turmoil on a plate with all the trimmings. Industrial influences complement the intense lyrics while offering a fresh dynamic but, while there isn't an element of the album that is actively bad, elsewhere ‘More Forever’ can feel like a box-ticking exercise.
These gigantic choruses are designed to be belted from the diaphragm, and that’s exactly what you want from a slick alt-rock record. But over time it feels like Barton is taking a rinse and repeat approach to emoting, resulting in an album that becomes predictable and a little sleepy time as goes on.
Still, you can’t argue that there aren’t some sickeningly addictive singalongs here. While ‘More Forever’ doesn't do anything new or mind-blowing, it is a deeply competent attempt to level up. If you're a Sick Joy fan or simply a sucker for this kind of rafter-shaking rock, get ready to crank up the volume and sing your heart out.
Sick Joy Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows:
Tue February 10 2026 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE Zerox
Wed February 11 2026 - NORWICH Voodoo Daddys
Fri February 13 2026 - BRIGHTON DUST
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