This synth-pop powerhouse hailed from New Mexico, and was spearheaded by Joey Belville. They debuted in 1994 with a light, upbeat, joyful and relatively simplistic take on synth-pop with the aptly-titled Defend Your Joy. Produced by Ronnie Martin (Joy Electric, etc.), the album oozed of positivity and an almost naive optimism. And yet, it never came off as cheesy, disingenuous, or otherwise off-putting.
In fact, I think the title track is a great song to kick off a new year with. I don’t know what your 2024 was like–joyful, sorrowful, challenging, rewarding, or something else–but a focus on the joy of the Lord is always appropriate. Perhaps you have particular fears or worries, challenges facing you in the year ahead. Whatever lies ahead, joy is always a strength. And if The Echoing Green are correct, joy might be something so important that it’s worthy of fighting for.
Although the band debuted in 1994, they released a string of albums and singles up through 2011, and rumors are stirring of new activity coming in 2025.