Joey Wit - Rose Gold (2024) Hi-Res

Joey Wit grew up in Middletown, Connecticut, but his heart belongs to both sides of the Atlantic. He`s proud of his Liverpool roots and equally proud of his Polish heritage. A former professional baseball player, Joey releases his latest album `Rose Gold` this month which has contributions from 2015 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame guitarist Ricky Byrd (Joan Jett & The Blackhearts) and drummer Matt Starr (Ace Frehley, Mr. Big) and is currently in Europe undertaking a few selected dates to promote said release.

The album opens with `What Went Wrong` which appears to be written from the perspective of somebody whose turned their life around and wants the relationship they lost resurrected but at the same time still trying to understand what went wrong. A fast-paced rock pop number that has a guitar solo midway through. We enjoy a kind of twisted love song with `Slower` a contemplative slow burn with brushed drum, shimmering guitar chord riffs and a guiding bassline.

`Borrowed Time` has a reflective edge about it with lyrics that seem to encourage us to `carpe diem` or seize the day as time seems to be running out. The opening to `Fake Paper` had a sort of Beatles-esque `Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds` opening before drifting off into a thoughtful listen withsome surreal lyrics and a gentle conclusion.

`Where Have You Been` is a deeply retrospective offering which seems to dwell on a lost love and the realisation of that situation. The piano keys and melodic guitar tones add a further poignancy to this track. We enjoy a kind of retro vibe to `Fire Pilot` which seems to be a comment about proving all the cynics wrong. There`s some wonderful saxophone swathes shared on route.

We have a further deeply heart-searching rumination with `A Point of No Return` which is full of sombre regret, whereas `Leave It To Me` is a pretty simple ruminative number but really draws you in, with a superb guitar solo shared midway through.

The yearning vocals on `Storytelling` almost mirror the pain shared throughout the lyrics. The album closes out with `Heavy Crown` whose opening reminded me of `Put A Little Love in Your Heart`. It’s a kind of psychedelic love song of sorts.

`Rose Gold` was my introduction to Joey Wit and there was much to enjoy. As the artist has shared “The lyrical content on this one seems to be trending more into the metaphorical than the literal, with some common themes; falling in and out of love, etc” which kinda sums it up. The musicianship was second to none and there`s plenty of variety so i`m sure there`s plenty here for all to enjoy.

Joey and his band are currently touring the UK and Ireland and on the strength of this new release, It`ll be a tour not to miss.