THE RIFLES JOEL STOKER GOES IT ALONE WITH SOLO DEBUT THE UNDERTOW
Best known for fronting the noughties indie rock group The Rifles, Joel Stoker’s debut solo album, The Undertow, is a far cry from their buoyant garage rock that he is used to. Released on September 1st by Cooking Vinyl, The Undertow takes Joel away from his comfort zone to explore the deeper depths of his psyche. Addressing his own demons and ongoing battles with anxiety, Joel channels this into his song writing to produce an eleven track album that reflects his softer side.
Taking inspiration from introspective song writers such as Bob Dylan, Joel delves into classic Americana, rock, soul and even country to curate an album that reflects his creativity in refreshing light.
We sat down with Joel to discuss the new album, the future of The Rifles and what it was like to be personally invited to support rock n roll royalty.
THE UNDERTOW
Noun : a strong current flowing underwater in a different direction to the way the water on the surface is moving.
When the world went into shutdown in 2020, Joel Stoker, was suddenly rooted to the family home for the first time in a decade. Like many of us, Joel was left twiddling his thumbs and soon found himself in his garden shed home studio writing and recording songs. These songs, unlike anything he had wrote previously, would eventually work their way to The Undertow.
I’m always writing and had a bunch songs – probably around 5 or 6 – and they were all kind of about the same thing. They weren’t really right for the band, for The Rifles as they were a bit too personal. So I put them on the back burner and after a while I thought that if I do a few more then I’ve got an album here. I had a collection of songs that all linked together, so that’s how it all started.
Was doing a solo album something you always wanted to do?
No, not really. I mean it was nice, I found the whole process enjoyable in the sense that you don’t have to have a debate about anything. You just make the decision and go with it, whether that’s the best one or not I dunno but you just go with it and that’s really nice. I’m enjoying that. It’s pretty intimate too.
WALLS FALL
The album opens with previously dropped single Walls Fall. The track starts almost silently, gently building a soft ambience featuring the see sound of waves which reflect the imagery and namesake of the album, The Undertow. The album title itself creates a strong message of what the album is about as it explores the idea that what you see on the surface, doesn’t actually reflect what’s going on underneath. Building in volume, the song kicks in with a crash. A steady pace built on melodic acoustic guitars and striking pizzicato strings, the opening track sets tone for the album to come.
Keep moving forward even though sometimes that may be a struggle you’ll get to where you’re going in the end. The song was the first one I finished before I even knew I was gonna make an album. Slowly after this more songs came along all addressing the same subject matter but I would say walls fall would be the cornerstone.”
Joel Stoker
The lead single, My Own War, continues with that character and as the title suggests addresses an inner battle with one’s self. Barely two songs in and Joel has introduced a wide range of instrumentation already. The opening fanfare style trumpet gives military impressions whilst the overall composition creates a near cinematic back drop.
WAVE OF HOPE
It’s not really upbeat if you like, it’s not very jump around. I mean, not all The Rifles stuff is but it’s just much more introspective as opposed to (The Rifles) It’s much too personal to be a band thing.
Joel Stoker
It’s evident early on, this new found introspective sound is not The Rifles. Now that may disappoint fans initially, however, what Joel has to offer isn’t comparable and shouldn’t be treated as such. Listening to the album, it feels rather raw. There is a lot of emotion on show and portrays a vulnerable side to Joel that Rifles listeners may not know.
‘I just wanted to put it out there really. It’s predominantly about anxiety and feeling a bit trapped. I think it’s important not to shy away from it, I think it’s healthy to get it out. I’m not embarrassed by it. They only thing I was really worried about or concerned about was that everybody has got some sort of mental health issue or anxiety and I didn’t wanna be like, look at me. It’s not a sales talk, it’s not that at all. I’d rather shut my mouth about it if anybody saw it like that. I think it’s a positive take on it anyway, it’s more about how we get on with it.’
It should be said that the songs aren’t in anyway dull or dreary. Most are melodically upbeat and whilst lyrically they address some darker themes, the overall message is a positive one.
LIKE I LOVE YOU
Lyrically, Joel has never been so driven. Tracks such as Like I Love You and Until I Find My Mind are fine examples of the creative depths he can reach. Taking inspiration from introspective lyricists such as Bob Dylan and Alex Turner, Joel has taken his talents to a different league with this album.
I’ve actually had ‘Like I Love You’ the longest. What actually inspired it was hearing that Michael Kiwanuka song ‘Cold Little Heart’ on the TV show ‘Big Little Lies’. I loved that haunting melody. So that’s how it began, with the acoustic guitar and the whistling.”
Joel Stoker
Chosen as the albums focus track, Like I Love You reveals not just the vulnerable side of Joel but the the inner romantic too. A beautifully crafted piece of music, it may be one of the strongest efforts on the record.
DOWN AT THE UNDERTOW
Moving into the latter half of the album comes Down at The Undertow which is as close you’re getting to Rifles energy on this album. A bouncy bluesy number, Down at The Undertow is the most danceable track on the record and it should go down really well should Joel decide to take it on tour.
When it comes touring this time around, Joel has a much more relaxed approach to the schedule.
‘I don’t really like going on tour. It’s the sitting about all day that drives me insane. So I plan to do a Thursday night every week. It’s like doing a one off gig, picking places all over the country. For me, that’s just a nicer way to do it.
The tour kicked off locally for Joel the day after the album release. Saturday 2nd September, Joel Stoker played his first solo show at London’s Walthamstow’s Trades Hall, however, technically it wasn’t the first.
It’s actually my second gig (solo). I ended up playing a couple of weeks ago because I got asked by Liam Gallagher to support him (at London’s KOKO). That’s was pretty up there for me! It was daunting because obviously nobody has heard any of the songs and I’m playing in front of a hard core Liam crowd.
Did you play just your songs or did you bring the more known Rifles stuff?
‘Just my own! So when he asked me I came back as I knew he had listened to my solo thing and asked him, is this my stuff you want me to support you with or The Rifles? And he said no, your solo stuff. It went down really well and I couldn’t have asked for a better crowd. I mean, nobody was singing along because they had never heard it before, but it seemed as though they were listening.’
THE VALLEY
I think if there is one song which encapsulates what the anxiety is all about, it would be The Valley.
Joel Stoker
A striped back acoustic track which focuses on the raw lyricism whilst climbing to an optimistic crashing climax. Again, Joel utilises the songs instrumentation to build atmospheric optimism. The crashing drums and powerful string accompaniment create something pretty special.
the world’s full of winners and losers it seems, I’m lost when I win so which one would I be.
The Valley – Joel Stoker
There are no weak songs on this album. Each song has stand alone potential. Capturing different aspects of his own anxieties whilst delivering them in a proactive attitude. Together, the songs produce a very personal journey which will resonate deeply with listener’s own complexes. Joel has taken a very cinematic approach to his song structuring as the end track on The Great Depression hits like a grand happy finale.
An outstanding debut album from an already well established rock musician that reflects a matured and diverse creativity. Joel can proudly stand on his own two feet with this delightful debut.
You can buy tickets to Joel Stoker’s tour here
The full chat with Joel can be listened to here
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