The Joy of Sects is the third studio album by English band Chemtrails, released on 19 January 2024 through PNKSLM. It was produced by Margo Broom and received positive reviews from critics.

The Joy of Sects
A pink humpback whale with a cross necklace hung around its neck against a yellow background
Studio album by
Chemtrails
Released19 January 2024 (2024-01-19)
Studio
  • Milkshed (Burnley)
  • Hermitage Works (London)
Genre
Length42:24
LabelPNKSLM
ProducerMargo Broom
Chemtrails chronology
The Peculiar Smell of the Inevitable
(2020)
The Joy of Sects
(2024)

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic77/100[1]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic     [2]
Mojo     [3]
MusicOMH     [4]
Uncut7/10[5]

The Joy of Sects received a score of 77 out of 100 on review aggregator Metacritic based on four critics' reviews, indicating "generally favorable" reception.[1] Mojo wrote that "beneath the Day-Glo surface, Chemtrails rage away",[3] while Uncut stated that "though the band's affection for Blondie, Pixies and Osees is plain, it's not intrusive and music's X-factor is an ominous undertow, notably provided by the keyboard on breakneck instrumental '(Post Apocalypstick)'".[5]

MusicOMH's John Murphy described the album as "exhilarating, witty and addictive, which blends perfect pop melodies with raw punk energy. It may not appeal to everyone, but it's the perfect album to dance into the apocalypse with."[4] AllMusic's Marcy Donelson wrote that producer "Broom ratchet[s] up the intensity of their sound a notch in the studio" as the band "keep things raw, frank, fun, and friskily psychedelic".[2]

Track listing

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All tracks are written by Mia Lust and Laura Orlova, except "Mushroom Cloud Nine" and "Join Our Death Cult", written by Mia Lust and Ian Kane.

The Joy of Sects track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Detritus Andronicus"4:36
2."Bang Bang"3:55
3."Business Class War Paint"4:55
4."Sycophant's Paradise"4:50
5."Mushroom Cloud Nine"3:23
6."Join Our Death Cult"3:17
7."Pink Whale"3:03
8."Superhuman Superhighway"5:33
9."Apocalypstick"2:48
10."(Post-Apocalypstick)"3:01
11."Endless Stream of the Bizarre"3:03
Total length:42:24

Personnel

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Chemtrails

  • Mia Lust – vocals, guitars
  • Laura Orlova – vocals, guitars
  • Ian Kane – bass, cover art
  • Liam Steers – drums

Additional contributors

  • Margo Broom – production, recording
  • Luke Reilly – mastering
  • Chris Hope – recording
  • Rob Catlow – recording
  • Nathan Ridley – recording
  • Robyn Skinner – band photography

References

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  1. ^ a b "The Joy of Sects by Chemtrails Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b Donelson, Marcy. "Chemtrails – The Joy of Sects Album Review". AllMusic. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Chemtrails – The Joy of Sects". Mojo. January 2024. p. 89.
  4. ^ a b Murphy, John (21 January 2024). "Chemtrails – The Joy of Sects | Album Reviews". MusicOMH. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Chemtrails – The Joy of Sects". Uncut. January 2024. p. 28.