Juno! - Harder Than it Should Be

Higher Than it Should Be is an album from the band Juno! that was pulled from a label in 2007. It is seeing the light of day once again, out in August by Last Night From Glasgow. Juno! is known for their energetic live shows to get the audience involved and that energy shows on here. Listeners will indulge on a two-sided album that contains a mix of electro-pop and indie rock. 

Starting with the rave sounding A-side, “Higher” has an electro, energetic vibe that sets the tone for much of the album. “Mirrors and Smoke” is more pop sounding that gets catchy after more than one listen. “Wonderful” is catchy with its synth-pop elements. “These Boys Are Athletes” has upbeat lyrics that features singer Manda Rin. “Sunshine In My Pocket” has catchy instrumentals and contains a few drum breaks to break up the consistency of the electronic instruments, adding to the groove. The instrumentals stand out more than the lyrics on this album. The B-side starts with “Kontakt” which has more of an indie rock sound, a contrast from the electro-pop A-side. “Cut It Loose” contains a mix of synth with indie along with relatable lyrics like “life is short, life is sweet, but not always kind.” “Atom Bomb City” contains some distorted lyrics singing “atom bomb city” in the intro and chorus which add an atmospheric 80s pop vibe to the track. This is a perfect track to get you in a good mood. The closer “Pop Art Morning” has a funk sounding vibe combined with electronic and is catchy. The lyrics contain “I will keep on the good side.” Many songs on the album are upbeat, and will put the listener into a danceable mood. The two-sided album gives fans of both electronic and indie a taste of both.