Review by Shannon Shumaker

Ripe have made one hell of an entrance with their debut full-length album, Joy In The Wild Unknown. Filled to the brim with soulful vocals, wild guitar work, groovy bass and a vibrant horn section, Joy In The Wild Unknown is sure to lift your spirits no matter what mood you’re in and will take you on a sonic journey by the time it comes to an end. The Boston-based seven piece not only flawlessly utilizes each instrument in a unique way on each track, but they’ve also crafted a very fun to listen to release with these twelve tracks.

It’s hard to briefly describe Joy In The Wild Unknown, but that’s only because there are just so many layers to this album. It’ll definitely take a few listens to really grasp each song fully, but listening to it on repeat won’t be a chore by any means. Kicking off with the upbeat “Little Lighter,” Ripe get the party started right away and don’t let up until the very last song.

No two songs on Joy In The Wild Unknown sound the same, but that’s no surprise when you take into consideration just how much Ripe have to work with. While bass and smooth vocals take the lead and make you want to dance on “Little Lighter,” the following track, “Flipside” takes on a more chill vibe. Then there’s “Follow Through,” which starts relatively tame but quickly grows into this massive anthem that really showcases the band’s full potential. If you close your eyes, it’s easy to imagine that you’re hearing “Follow Through” live simply because of the amount of energy, passion and soul behind the song.

Because Ripe have so much to work with instrumentally, Joy In The Wild Unknown never feels stale or repetitive. Instead, each song feels fresh and fun. Some tracks sound very groovy and funky while others sound a bit dirty, grungy and timeless. No matter what, the stunning vocal work, powerful bass, and horns are a driving force behind every song – it’s just the band’s use of the instruments that varies. “Stanky,” for instance sounds like gritty, dirty rock n’ roll spearheaded by incredible guitar work while the laid-back “Young Tom Rose” will make you want to chill out on the beach in warm summer weather. Other songs like “Beta Male” are upbeat and fast-paced, carried primarily by smart lyricism.

Despite how diverse these songs sound, they still flow together perfectly, too. As a whole, Joy In The Wild Unknown will make you want to get up and dance, and if that’s all you take away from this album, then Ripe have succeeded. Incredibly smooth and fun to listen to, Joy In The Wild Unknown will not only transport you to summer, but also to another mindset entirely.

LISTEN TO: “Follow Through” or “Downward”

STAY CONNECTED WITH RIPE: https://www.facebook.com/RipeMusic/