New Music: Joy Forever – City of Rain

City of Rain by Hamburg outfit Joy Forever is partly inspired by their gritty hometown, but musically, it also looks to other rainy port cities.

The third single from their upcoming Brand New Faces EP, it’s a blistering number sonically and emotionally. You can nearly taste the driving, salt-tinged rain blowing furiously in from the sea, the outline of greyness that often hides the never-ending activity of a port city, a beautiful bleakness.

Musically, there are echoes of the modern wave of frenetic Dublin post-punk, but also the 80s foundation of that sound, as Joy Division and The Chameleons can be heard in the briefest moments.

They say about the track, “City of Rain came together quickly, without much overthinking or twisting around, and was nearly instantly accepted among the whole band, which means a lot.”

“Inspired by the grim backstreets of our hometown, shady corners that rot shrouded in darkness yet shine in daylight. It’s a punch in the chest and light at the end of the tunnel. We love it.”

City of Rain and previous 2025 singles, Cycles and Two Minds Collide, can be heard on Bandcamp and Spotify. Head to Instagram for other listening options, as well as updates on Brand New Faces.