Sistahs is the debut album of Big Joanie.[2] It was released in 2018[3] on Thurston Moore and Eva Prinz's Daydream Library Series label[4] after the two saw the band open for The Ex and discovered that the band had yet to release an album.[2]

Sistahs
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 30, 2018
RecordedNovember 2017 - January 2018
StudioHermitage Works Studio
Genre
Length31:16
LabelDaydream Library Series[1]
ProducerMargo Broom

Composition edit

Sistahs holds musical footing in art punk, post-punk and "fearlessly discordant" punk rock.[1][2][4][5] It has been noted for pushing the latter genre forward.[5] However, its songs are musically eclectic and experimental, with goth, jangle pop, lo-fi and trance sounds nestled in it.[2][5]

Leading single "Fall Asleep" is a "tough" dance-punk song that "burst[s] forth with synths and handclaps", recalling 80s and 90s sounds.[2] It also dons a "power pop base" and a "light new wave trance".[2][5] "Used To Be Friends" takes on early-80s indie pop while echoing riot grrrl.[5] "Down Down" is "sexy" surf rock with "a demented surf pop riff".[5] "How Could You Love Me" has "rolling" melodies of 50s power pop.[5]

Reception edit

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic73/100[6]
Review scores
SourceRating
The Guardian     [1]
Pitchfork7.6/10[7]
Rolling Stone     [4]

Upon its release, Sistahs was welcomed with generally positive reviews from music critics. On Metacritic, it holds a score of 73 out of 100, indicating "generally favorable reviews", based on four reviews.[6]

The Quietus called the album "a fresh and rich take on DIY punk."[2] Rolling Stone gave the album 3.5 stars and said "It's a record that’s bold, catchy and arresting."[4]

Accolades edit

Publication Country List Rank Ref.
The Quietus UK Quietus Albums Of The Year 2018
60

Track listing edit

All songs by Big Joanie.

No.TitleLength
1."New Year"3:17
2."Fall Asleep"2:56
3."Used to Be Friends"2:08
4."Eyes"4:11
5."Way Out"2:08
6."Down Down"1:24
7."Tell a Lie"2:07
8."Token"3:00
9."It's You"2:22
10."How Could You Love Me"3:37
11."Cut Your Hair"4:04
Total length:31:16

Personnel edit

All credits adapted from the record's Bandcamp page.[9]

Big Joanie

  • Stephanie Phillips - vocals, guitar
  • Estella Adeyeri - bass
  • Chardine Taylor-Stone - drums

Additional musicians

Technical

  • Margo Broom - production, recording, mixing

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Snapes, Laura (30 November 2018). "Big Joanie: Sistahs review – fearlessly discordant punk debut". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 29 August 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Steiner, Melissa Rakshana (29 November 2018). "Family Trio: Big Joanie's Sistahs". The Quietus. Archived from the original on 14 August 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  3. ^ Moreland, Quinn (3 August 2020). "Big Joanie Cover Solange's "Cranes in the Sky": Listen". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 17 August 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d Grow, Kory (3 December 2018). "Review: Big Joanie's Excellent Art-Punk LP 'Sistahs'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Eric Rosso (December 17, 2018). "Big Joanie - Sistahs". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Sistahs by Big Joanie Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Archived from the original on August 13, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  7. ^ Pelly, Jenn (17 December 2018). "Sistahs: Big Joanie". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 30 August 2020.
  8. ^ Luke Turner (December 25, 2018). "Quietus Albums Of The Year 2018, In Association With Norman Records". The Quietus. Archived from the original on August 14, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2021.
  9. ^ "Sistahs by Big Joanie". bigjoanie.bandcamp.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2021. Retrieved August 13, 2021.