JOY IKE

All or Nothing

2013-03-20

There is plenty to rejoice about Joy Ike's new album. Completely funded by a Kickstarter campaign, her latest album, All or Nothing, finds the Pittsburgh-based artist in top form. Gentle, but not weak; sweet, but not saccharine, All or Nothing illustrates Joy Ike's strength as a storytelling and a musician. From the celebration of innocence of "The Fall Song," to the contemplation of mortality of "Don't Ever Die," Ike explores all things personal and relational with ease and subtly, while the music stylistically changing to suit each song. Ike avoids the trap of blanketing songs with instruments; instead, strings, piano, guitar, and more are layered elegantly throughout the album, contributing to a cohesion of music and message. The varied instrumentation gives every song a distinct flavor, with percussion in particular shaping each track with precision, performed by Ike herself (as well as piano, ukulele, and much more.) Ike writes that she wants her songs "to be a conversation...a long one. A real one." With work as affecting as All or Nothing, it appears Ike can take pride in her success. - Jacqueline Ristola

Quick Links:

More reviews tagged #Folk

  • reviewed 10/2003

    Rachel Sage
    Public Record

  • reviewed 07/2006

    THE AVERY SET
    Wishful Thinking

  • reviewed 07/2009

    THE TRACTORS
    Trade Union

  • reviewed 03/2008

    Various Artists
    Our Side of Town: A Red House Records 25th Anniversary Collection

  • reviewed 08/2016

    Cali Shaw
    Under The Olive Tree

  • reviewed 03/2008

    Jaymay
    Autumn Falli'

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.