The sanguine nature of Lovejoy’s newest album, “Pebble Brain,” is simply a vessel for its bittersweet deposition on failed romance and moving on from overwhelming emotions. With buoyant and energetic tones, you find yourself lost in a stream of poetic lyrics with subtle melancholic nuance. Conceived during the decline of Covid-19 restrictions, “Pebble Brain” was released on May 8, 2021, only six months after the publication of Lovejoy's first four-track album, “Are You Alright?” Since then, the British indie rock band has gained quite a lot of traction on the charts. Though their newest album only consists of seven songs, each track is nothing short of a poetic masterpiece. 

One common tone in “Pebble Brain” is the large amounts of mockery established through the lyrics. “Oh Yeah, You Gonna Cry?” is the first track on the album, and it carries this belief heavily. The blatant taunts even seeped into the title. The song is completely blithe and energetic by default, conveying a childishly teasing tone throughout the entire song and in the lyrics. “Now, now, you need to calm down / What good’s this energy? / When you devote it to me / Why not be a little more friendly?” The track regards a woman who is unhappy in her current relationship with her boyfriend. However, the actual song centers on the lead singer's tauts to the partner. Ridiculing the man on the downfall of his past relationship while boasting about the potential beginning of his romance with the former girlfriend. “You know we talk about all the dumb s*** you do / In the back room of the bar / In the backseat of my car / I’m the ending, she’s the start.” Every part of the song adorns relentless mockery that constructs a lovable and catchy chorus. “Concrete” is also a good example of Lovejoy’s use of sarcasm in their works. “All this over a kiss! / You weren't there, why you pressed by this?” While a lot less subtle than the first track, “Concrete” is more about (potentially) undermining someone's bitter feelings in a relationship. The cheerful riffs of an electric guitar subtly hinder the grave meaning behind the track. Lovejoy uses a substantial amount of mockery in their songs, creating a lovable and energetic beat that the listeners are sure to enjoy while adding to the mocking connotations.

The majority of Lovejoy songs are notable for their excellent song structure and lyrical choices. Unfortunately, the harmony in some songs may be drab. For example, in “It’s All Futile! It’s All Pointless!,” nothing in the track was particularly noteworthy. The beat was unattractive, and the song as a whole felt rushed and uninteresting. When compared to their previous work in “Are You Alright?,” the chorus and melody were not as pleasant. This is in stark contrast to the rest of “Pebble Brain.” Despite this, some of the lyrics are enjoyable to listen to. “'Cause this is the part where I shut up and let you infest my brain / Wrap your arms around my cortex, dig you in and let you drain.” While the lyrics may appear unusual, they are clever and unique, and they effectively convey the song’s message about the yearning of a past relationship. On the other hand, “Perfume” is a much easier track to appreciate the poetical essence Lovejoy crafts. “It seems like all her friends / Abruptly fell in love / And she was in the dust / Stalling; life was streaming past.” Not only do the lyrics stand out as relatable and memorable, the occasional dips of intensity contrast the energetic melody. While some songs may not be as popular as others, every single one in “Pebble Brain” houses beautifully poetic lyrics that have become a signature of Lovejoy songs. 

“Pebble Brain” by Lovejoy is undoubtedly a beautifully poetic and faintly melancholic album. The lyrics go above and beyond at expressing the struggles of moving on from a romantic relationship and the impulsive thoughts that come with it, making it a perfect apathetic album to binge if you want something subtly depressing with a dynamic beat.