The Maine Finds Meaning in Joy Next Door
Arizona emo group The Maine has officially released their 10th album in their nearly 20 years as a band, “Joy Next Door,” quickly becoming a fan favorite as the band themselves state this is their best work yet. Ahead of its release were three singles, “Die To Fall,” “Quiet Part Loud,” and “Palms,” which they immediately began performing live on their current “I Love You But…I Chose The Maine” tour. The story this album tells feels more personal than ever, as frontman John O’Callaghan discusses on The Joe Vulpis Podcast that this album was written from a new perspective. The album was written with more intention in its creation and sequencing than their previous projects.
The Maine for Joy Next Door by Lupe Bustos
In that same conversation, O’Callaghan talks about how the lyrics express exactly what was running through his mind at the time of writing the album. “I don’t see a therapist,” he admits, before elaborating on how he focused on what he wanted to say versus what people “want to hear.” “Joy Next Door” was written with the intent to perfectly capture what this time of their life looks like, and what they would want to listen to now in their late 30s.
Joy Next Door Album Cover by Lupe Bustos
Opening the album with “Green,” the song begins with stripped-back vocals and an acoustic guitar before evolving into dynamic instrumentals. This song serves as a thematic introduction into their “green era,” which they have fully leaned into for the record’s aesthetic. Following the opening track is “Alone For a Year,” which opens up to the listener about isolation, feeling lost, and hoping to find yourself again, all while longing for deeper connections along the way.
The energy lifts with “Half A Spark,” an anthem rooted in youth and nostalgia, before transitioning into “Palms,” a track that discusses living in the moment without overthinking. At the halfway mark in the album, we approach the title track, “Joy Next Door.” Slowing the momentum, this song describes the central theme of the album, that happiness is not always far, but is surrounding us. There is no final destination to finding it, and sometimes it is as close as our own backyards or right next door.
Track six on the album, “3:31,” draws special interest from the listener with lyrics such as “No Wonder Why Your Mother Thinks I’m A-List, Yeah, there’s seven thousand people in the crowd” and “Pardon me, the world is mine, and I’m sort of famous.” This particular track discusses those feelings of imposter syndrome when it comes to fame, with these specific lyrics highlighting the tension between internal doubt and external success. Repeating the lyric “It’s 3:31, and I’m still your favorite, right?” alludes to questioning whether listeners and fans are still invested in the band after all this time. This track serves as the true centerpiece for the album and becomes a defining moment for both the listener and the artist.
The Maine by Lupe Bustos
The next three tracks, “Quiet Part Loud,” “Die To Fall,” and “A Brief Commercial Break,” shift the story into deeper self-reflection before we approach the closing stretch of the album. “It’s Not Over Yet” discusses the final stage of self-reflection, with some of the strongest lyrics on the record, including “Maybe fear’s a good thing, and if you're scared then you're alive.” This line itself captures the moment in which you learn to embrace uncertainty and accept it as part of your journey and growth.
The closing track, “And Then,” wraps the album up in a beautiful green bow, shifting the mood from introspective to acceptance. Rather than closing the album with finality, it leaves room for further growth and reflection. It perfectly encapsulates allowing yourself to move on with life, despite lingering doubts and fears.
“Joy Next Door” is the reminder we all needed to take a step back and enjoy the small moments in our everyday lives, and to keep going even through our toughest times. It encourages accepting life as it happens and learning to exist with uncertainty rather than trying to outrun it. Nearly two decades into the band’s career, The Maine are redefining who they are with “Joy Next Door,” delivering what could be their most honest record to date. We can’t wait to hear more from the band as the era continues, and look forward to finding the joy next door in our everyday lives.