Album Review: Sick Joy – More Forever (Self Released)

Sick Joy, the sonic heartbeat of singer and multi-instrumentalist Mykl Barton, will release their sophomore album, ‘More Forever’ on January 30th, 2026.

An album filled to the brim with alternative potency, punk-infused spirit, deep melodies, punchy garage rock vibes, and infectious choruses. Wrapped up in reflective lyrical themes that showcase the maturity within. Something that has notably changed since their unleashed their debut album in 2022 (WE’RE ALL GONNA F***ING DIE.).

This is a more grown-up Sick Joy, and with that, the nihilistic side of the band isn’t as prominent, even though there is plenty of stark truths to be expressed throughout. While this might seem familiar to fans of alternative rock music, Sick Joy has this unique ability to hypnotise and across the twelve tracks of this album, that is exactly what happens via a myriad of creative ideas.

Following a short intro piece called Back at the Beginning, there’s an explosion of hyperactive punk-infused energy and melody with the excitable All Damage. Sick Joy bringing the ‘heavy’ early on and showing just how fiery they can be. Complimenting that with the daringly weird Nothing Good and lively Anything Goes. The former, a track with a grungy and moody vein running through it, the later with throbbing beats. Both showcasing the mesmerising aspects of the band impressively and both with powered up alternative rock twisted choruses that snaps things sharply into focus.

This is the varied side of Sick Joy that has developed significantly over the past couple of years, resulting in more consistent creativity and addictiveness. How good have Sick Joy become? Just listen to Cinnamon Burn, a moody alternative banger driven by brilliant vocals and with a powered-up chorus that adds some real singalong aspects. It was a favourite of mine upon release as a single and that continues to be the case here on the album.

Though, you’ll struggle to find me complaining about much here. Even when subtly and softness rules on Gone Missing, there’s so much atmosphere, I still thoroughly enjoy what I’m hearing.

The second half of the album starts with a short intermission called Here We Are, Somewhere Liminal which flows effortlessly into Stockholm Flavour and the sound of fuzzed up and hazy rock. It’s very cool sounding, but so is Video Games, and Strawberries Cigarettes. Where we get an array of laidback melodies, alternative rock layers, poppy flair, and creative atmosphere. Both tracks show off the passion that is inherent within Sick Joy, but in notably different ways.

That passion is such a driving force of the record, keeping interest high right up to the end where the explosive Somebody Else and the dynamic Death Scene (More Forever) await. A pair of delightfully catchy efforts to wrap things up in stylish fashion.

It all comes back to progression. I really do think this album is a major step forward for Sick Joy and how they are showcasing the more unique aspects of their alternative sound. It’s an addictive listen with tons of variety and appealing aspects. If the debut turned people’s heads, this record is going to give them whiplash.

Sick Joy – More Forever Track Listing:

1. Back at the Beginning
2. All Damage
3. Nothing Good
4. Anything Goes
5. Cinnamon Burn
6. Gone Missing
7. Here We Are, Somewhere Liminal
8. Stockholm Flavour
9. Video Game
10. Strawberries Cigarettes
11. Somebody Else
12. Death Scene (More Forever)

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