JORIS - 10 Jahre Hoffnungslos Hoffnungsvoll

In the organizer's words:

JORIS' fourth album "zu viel retro" will finally be released on February 14, and the name says it all: the album is packed with handmade and energetic pop music full of live enthusiasm, imperfection and rough edges.

"zu viel retro" is music that comes from deep within and from an artistic and private phase of highs and lows that has presented the 34-year-old with new challenges. It contains unfiltered feelings that were also captured directly in the studio in a two-year process. In the process, JORIS has returned to what has always been one of his greatest strengths: playing live. What has become part of the musician's body and soul and what he has been presenting with his band at the highest level for more than ten years has now also found its home on this record. All the songs on zu viel retro were recorded live together in the studio. And no song could fit this better than the focus track of the record "so quickly over" - but see for yourself in the accompanying video.

JORIS - "that's the guy with HEART OVER HEAD, isn't it?" Everyone probably knows this song, but as the playlist continues, you'll notice that songs like "Nur die Musik", "Du" and "Signal" are immediately recognizable. The obligatory: between his debut and the fourth longplayer "zu viel retro" there are around half a billion streams, three Echos, various precious metals, several top tens in the radio charts and three successful albums. But what remains of Joris after 10 years of dancing in the German music landscape? Mic drop? Burn out? Retreat? - There is no clear answer to all three questions. "Why did it take so long with the music? Because there were more important things..." After his girlfriend falls seriously ill, he faces both the challenges and fears as a partner and the new responsibilities as a young family man. In the song "eigentlich" he tries to put it into words "look into two little eyes, blind trust and nothing stays the same".

During the album's development phase, Joris juggles studio and clinic visits with being a father, trying to reconcile one with the other and separate them at the same time. It "works", but in retrospect: "more than enough material for five albums..." This creates the breeding ground for the album's lyrically wild mixture of pain and life-affirming new beginnings. "too much retro." What does he mean by the album title? Is it a question or a statement? Was there more tinsel in the past or is it ultimately about remembering the essential things in retrospect? To manifest something in such a fleeting world that lasts, that remains and that gives you a feeling of home and security. That's what retro stands for. And no, if you interpret it that way, there can't be enough of it.

As with his childhood heroes, the BluesBrothers, Joris is bringing his band back together. And in the studio where the five friends recorded their first longplayer. Without a chase scene and Hollywood drama, but without a net and a false bottom. The result is energetic, live music that takes you on a musical road trip through life! There is the core song of the record: "life is..." (...clearly too much for a press release)! For all the band's musical exuberance, Jori's voice sings a rousing confession to the beauty of transience. Speaking of transience: in the song "so quickly over", a hint of realization creeps over you... namely that you have to grab life firmly with both hands and embrace it before it flies past you.

With their 13 songs, the 5 boys miss the expectations of a pop album from 2025 with a kiss on the hand. How can you fail so spectacularly? Nobody needs an analog, detail-loving record full of departure songs, self-doubt and love songs anymore.... Or do they? One thing is clear - this record wants to be on stage and the guys seem to have really warmed up in the studio!

Price information:

* Price incl. VAT, plus € 2.00 service charge and shipping costs per order.