Echo Scale™: ★★★★★ (5)
We went mad for Palejoy‘s “Next Goal Wins” a few months back, and it’s easy to see why; it was a perfect, five-star emotional gut punch that even landed them in second place for June’s “Artist of the Month.” Now, the Aberdeen trio is back with “What a Sad Little Life, Jane,” a title that immediately brings that iconic, brutally hilarious moment from Come Dine With Me back into our heads.
But while the title is a playful wink, the song itself is pure Palejoy: an emotionally raw, sadness-packed anthem that explores a much darker, heavier side of the human experience. It’s a testament to a band that continues to release unbelievable music that captures raw human emotion in a way few others can.
From Apathy to Desperation: A Masterclass in Vocals
Where their last release perfectly nailed that apathetic, given-up vocal tone, “What a Sad Little Life, Jane” is an evolution. Bassist Jamie Reid takes the lead here, and the vocals are much more involved and expressive, showing the band’s range and their ability to move from quiet resignation to raw desperation.
It’s a breathtaking performance, one that elevates the song from being merely sad to being a truly desperate cry. The soaring high notes and big gang backing vocals give the track a palpable sense of urgency, delivering everything you could possibly want from a modern emo anthem.
The Guitars That Define a Band
It’s clear that Palejoy has found a sound and they’re sticking to it, in the best way possible. This new track delivers a masterclass in emo and post-hardcore guitar work, complete with that signature Palejoy identity. Tonally, the guitars are incredible, with enough drive to make the song feel heavy without ever sounding muddy or oversaturated.
But what the guitars do better than most is instantly make the song feel like it’s part of the band’s back catalogue. Those signature little bends, slides, and lead lines create an unmistakable sonic identity for Palejoy, ensuring that if you heard this song for the first time without any context, you’d know exactly who it was by.
Those Massive Drums Again
What can we say about the drums that we didn’t say last time? They’re simply colossal. The sound is massive, cutting through the mix with ease, and those TOMS… oh, those TOMS again! They perfectly serve the song and the feeling of the genre without ever descending into pointless showmanship. It’s a powerful, tight performance that anchors the entire track.
A Statement, Not Just a Song
Even at under three minutes, “What a Sad Little Life, Jane” feels bigger than most songs twice its length. It’s a powerful statement from a band that’s putting on a masterclass in the modern emo genre. This isn’t just another single; it’s the sound of an artist stepping into their own, cementing their place as a defining force in the Scottish music scene and beyond. They’ve proven they can be hilariously miserable one moment and heart-wrenchingly raw the next, all while crafting a cohesive, world-class sound. With these two releases back-to-back, it’s clear we’re writing about Palejoy right on the cusp of them becoming a worldwide force. We’re all just along for the ride.
Another song deserving of 5 stars. Well done, lads.
Echo Scale™: ★★★★★ (5)
