Johnny Foreigner, often abbreviated as “JoFo” by their fans, is a rock band adjacent to the styles of energetic, upbeat and glittery Midwest emo despite being from the island of England and not the Midwest of the United States. After releasing 2016’s “Mono No Aware” and “The X and the O EP,” the band didn’t release any new music under the Johnny Foreigner name, causing fans to worry that they would never release new music. However, the band defied that notion and returned with the promotional EP “The Sky and Sea were Part of Me (or I was Part of Them)” in June 2024, and their latest album “How To Be Hopeful” three months later.
“Roisin Does Advice Now,” named after a recurring character in JoFo lore, is a suspiciously upbeat opener considering the subject material of failing to pursue romance and focusing on others’ identities instead of your own. The repeating phrase of the track is: “And Roisin’s like ‘Go be single. Stop trying to find yourself in other people,’” but the protagonist struggles with following that advice. It’s surreal having JoFo reference the COVID-19 pandemic in the lyric, “I’m a pre-pandemic cynic,” since many people associate the band with their earlier pre-pandemic works, but it’s also comforting. Part of growing up is reacting to the changing world, and JoFo depicts that well in many of these songs.
The beautiful and glittery “What The Alexei,” named after the male vocalist of the band, is the first of two songs featured in JoFo’s previous 2024 EP. The lyrics deal with loving somebody else, but Alexei also briefly tackles the concept of aging. While the protagonist depicts a scenario where The Dismemberment Plan’s “The Ice of Boston” is playing in the background, a humbling scene is described, “And those art school kids sat shooting selfies by the speakers. Call it emo, I blushed, I guess I’m too old to argue.” Perceptions of labels and what they mean can change with time, and the term “emo” has evolved into its own beast for many. Age differences in culture can lead to some conflicts.
“Museum Of Useless Things,” while being more solemn-sounding than most of the other songs on “How To Be Hopeful” with lyrics reflecting betrayal, has a funny lyric: “Post a picture out of context, ain’t that how you kids get famous these days?” JoFo is super self-aware lyrically at times, and it shows here as they’re satirizing the fact they’ve become older. This point is emphasized by the repeated lyric, “You belong in a museum.”
“Okay 1 More!” is an interesting song for JoFo standards due to the use of drums, specifically bass-like drums, in the second half of the song after the lyrics. The atmospheric wall of sound that ensues is nothing short of beautiful. Roisin’s story is also elaborated on, as the protagonist says: “And Roisin’s dumped out in Vegas, broken-hearted, blameless. Kind of feel I stole her luck.” As people live on, things change with them. No human being remains stagnant; we are constantly changing, and now Roisin would seem to benefit from her own advice.
JoFo shows support for the transgender community on “A Sea To Scream At” with the lyric, “I’ve got friends being dragged into cubicles for all the wrong reasons. It’s the season, it’s the fit, it’s the ‘can’t be bothered to pick up their pronouns’ shit.” The protagonist reflects on the monotony of desk jobs and how cutthroat they can be, with jobs being a huge part of aging and life. “The tide gets closer every time” could be referring to stress from the job overwhelming somebody, or, more generally, the looming of death. “All that’s left is a sea to scream at” is a repeated lyric with a bleak and apocalyptic image.
“Emily and Alex” begins with a gorgeous usage of autotune and guitar work. The drums kicking in add to the beauty of the sentimental song. It’s unclear the significance of the names Emily and Alex have to JoFo, but it’s nonetheless very personal and intimate.
“We Build This City” is optimistic, closer to “How To Be Hopeful.” The band promises “it gets better,” but they also acknowledge their struggle with the lyric, “I’m this close to letting go.” Despite the hardships that life, death and age give us, there is always something to look forward to.
Johnny Foreigner’s music stands the test of time. I don’t doubt “How To Be Hopeful” will lose its luster just like their other works. Returning after a hiatus with accumulated wisdom from growth and still sounding great is quite a feat, but JoFo still has the spirit of youth within them. JoFo is, at its core, fun indie rock music to listen to and feel.
4.5/5
Awsum review!!