NOVEMBER

new from LICHEN + VOGUES + OHTIS + THE GOLDEN DREGS feat. SOPHIE JAMIESON

Author

Benjamin Woods
November 07, 2025

i’ve been off grid for a minute. or, on a different grid. north america. touring solo; some time in los angeles, some diy dates (and motorbiking) with ohtis, and then canada and the north-east coast with ezra furman. rounded off with a stint in new york. that is to say, i have been off the ball, and now i am catching up. as you should to, on some great releases we’ve had this month past. and the year’s not over yet. read on for what you may have missed..

In My Dreams You Were Golden by Lichen (OUT TODAY!)

i challenge you to find a bad word to say about michael clark. my dearest friend, the funniest guy in the room, the writer of timeless songs that will stay with you forever, delivered with a voice that will break you. “a record with the rare ability to both lift and levy the heart” says shane meadows. “a veritable treasure trove of undiscovered sad bastard alternative” say the line of best fit. it’s an honour to be releasing this debut record. years in the making, and lovingly brought to life by ted barnes and a host of brilliant musicians. it deserves far more industry clout and marketing spend than i could ever give it. so help us out. buy this record. add it to your ‘🥺’ playlist. burn a cassette and drive your hatchback into the peak district. learn every word and whisper them under your breath in church - we have a london release show pencilled in for late february. save the 25th just in case. and he will be on tour as of next week as part of the JOY OF LIFE INTERNATIONAL REVUE with the golden dregs and sophie jamieson.

we have the album available on ltd edition orange marble or standard black vinyl, plus all the usual streaming outlets, at the link below

And Then Nothing / Nevertheless by Vogues (OUT NOW)

no. 4 in this years series of double singles. vogues keeps on giving. an endless treasure trove of sad bangers and even sadder ballads. these two will be making their way on to the artists’ debut record tender mercies, out at the end of the month. if you have ears and a heart and a past life filled with regret you’re going to love it

Taxi Driver by Ohtis (OUT NOW)

a new drop from one of the greatest un-sung songwriters of our time. history of tears is a 50 second anthem re. crying, paving the way for a darkly fictitious centrepiece inspired by the narrators past occupation as a taxi driver, rounded off with a beautiful take on malvina reynolds’ little boxes. THIS IS THE SHIT.

Linoleum (REVISITED) feat. Sophie Jamieson by The Golden Dregs (OUT NOW)

the second in this hap-hazard series of reimaginings'; the could-have-been-hit-single stripped to it’s bare bones and adorned by the haunting voice of friend and future tour mate sophie jamieson

we update the 💿 JOY OF LIFE PLAYLIST 💿 every few weeks, check out what we’ve been listening to

LIVE

the vogues album launch show at the end of the month has SOLD OUT. if you missed out on tickets you can join the dice waiting list or sit tight til they plan the next. you’ll also have missed out on the al cologne debut full band show, but they are performing on december 5th at the george tavern for the bowlcut records christmas party so you are granted a second chance.

of iyrn are playing on monday at the brixton windmill, opening for reni conti. not to be missed. they have a new single out very soon… TICKETS

and the JOY OF LIFE INTERNATIONAL REVUE featuring the golden dregs, sophie jamieson and lichen kicks off next week. we’re playing some lovely rooms, tickets are reasonably priced and still available HERE

Joy of Life International is a not-for-profit record label of sorts, established at the tail end of 2024. We are supported by our good friends at End of the Road Music and are working towards building a world that is honest, fair and assists in the creation and release of great music

for more releases and further artist information, visit out website or bandcamp

thank you for supporting independent music

j o l i