Album Review: "Hope We Have Fun" - Mt. Joy

Tessa Brainard
1 day ago
7 min read

American indie-rock band Mt. Joy released their fifth studio album, Hope We Have Fun on March 30, 2025. I’m a newer fan of Mt. Joy and aside from listening to a few of their larger singles from previous records, Hope We Have Fun is the first Mt. Joy album I’ve listened to all the way through. On first listen, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I quickly found myself falling in love with these tracks.

Tracklist

More More More
Coyote
In The Middle (ft. Gigi Perez)
Pink Lady
God Loves Weirdos
Scared I’m Gonna Fuck You Up
Lucy
Groove in Gotham
Wild and Rotten (ft. Nathaniel Rateliff)
Highway Queen
She Wants to Go Dancing
You Are Who She Loves
Hope We Have Fun.

More More More

“More More More” is an opening track that hooked me in as soon as I pressed play, mostly because I couldn't tell where it was going at first. While it starts off with a folky guitar and softer vocals in the first two verses, the song gradually crescendos into an explosive, moving bridge.

As the track builds to this point before tipping over the edge, it is easy to picture it as the soundtrack to a pivotal scene in a coming-of-age film. In an interview with American Songwriter, lead singer Matt Quinn stated that the song was written as a, “rambling ending that ultimately erupts into a crescendo, which hopefully feels like a person walking off an anxiety attack and coming to an epiphany.”

It is chilling and leaves the listener breathless and ready for more. I listened to this album on my commute as the sun was rising, and it was exactly what I needed to hear to wake up in the morning.

Coyote

“Coyote” opens with a thrumming guitar that makes this one of the more rock-influenced tracks on the album. This song is made for a live performance and it’s easy to picture a crowd getting excited by the song’s energetic nature.

In The Middle (ft. Gigi Perez)

“In The Middle” is a sensual, groovy tune that I wish was longer than it is. It brings about that heady feeling of attraction toward someone and leaves the listener wanting more. Featuring singer/songwriter Gigi Perez, the vocals truly stand out on this track for an easy listen.

Pink Lady

“Pink Lady” is a retro track with a psychedelic sound. Keyboardist Jackie Miclau’s talents shine through as an upbeat keyboard riff drives the song for just under three minutes.

God Loves Weirdos

“God Loves Weirdos” is my favorite track on this album. Written as a reflection on the years of touring as a band, Mt. Joy wrote this song as a love letter to the feeling that no one else in the world could understand you better in that moment than your friends. It evokes images of being sleep-deprived on a long road trip and laughing through the exhaustion together. While the world outside becomes more chaotic every day, having bubbles of joy with your friends is necessary to make it through life. This song is the perfect testament to falling in love with life and nurturing your friendships.

Scared I’m Gonna Fuck You Up

“Scared I’m Gonna Fuck You Up” begins with a fade in from “God Loves Weirdos.” It is a short track with a fast drum beat that makes the song sound like it’s taking off on a run. The lyrics are simple, describing the fear of ruining a relationship or friendship in some unclear way. It is a stark difference from the previous track and breaks up the album as one of the middle tracks.

Lucy

“Lucy” is another one of my favorites on this record. Written about the band’s close friend who was diagnosed with multiple brain tumors in 2024. While the real Lucy is still alive today, the song chronicles the experience of losing a loved one and deciding to make their death mean something by appreciating life.

Lucy is described as a brave, beautiful soul who took whatever life has to offer. From jumping out of an aeroplane to spending “one more jam” with the band, Lucy seemed to do anything she pleased just because she felt like it. The lead singer is inspired by her unwavering spirit and wants to live life more like she did.

This song also grapples with mortality and what happens once we die. No one truly knows where we go, but the song voices hope that the band may meet Lucy again. In the meantime, she has been sent to “solve the big history of mankind.” With its simple yet thought-provoking lyrics, this song is nostalgic and existential in just the right ways.

Groove in Gotham

“Groove in Gotham” is, as the name suggests, a groovy tune that I want to dance to. There is a sexy, upbeat rhythm to the backing guitars and plucky keyboard as the lyrics describe the moment of dancing like nobody's watching with someone you can’t get enough of. As the moment heats up, the only thing you can think about is making them yours. This song is dreamy and fun, making it the perfect tune to put on if you’re dancing with that special someone.

Wild and Rotten (ft. Nathaniel Rateliff)

“Wild and Rotten” is a bluesy tune that I love but have trouble finding words for. It is a unique, heartfelt song that details the poignant feelings of loving and losing someone who was born to be an adventurer. Through the grief, the singer is grateful for the experience of loving this person who brought so much joy to his life during their time together, and he earnestly hopes she finds happiness on her path. It embraces the uncertainty of change as a type of freedom and reminds listeners that, no matter what, the decisions you make will lead you to where you need to be.

Highway Queen

“Highway Queen” is a folky, acoustic-guitar driven track that describes a woman who never looked back after leaving home. She is a free-spirit who refuses to let anything hold her down, but instead of being intimidated by it, the singer is enthralled and willing to join her on her adventures.

It was written in honor of Quinn’s wife. In an interview with Broadway World, Quinn stated, “The song is about being in love with someone you see a bit of yourself in. My wife is from Brazil but left home when she was 15 to chase a dream and had success that has kept her away from home and moved her all over the world ever since.”

This song is also an ode to having to confront one's demons, even as you try to run away from him. Quinn said, “Living away from home corrals your demons in a specific way, you feel like the only way to out run them is to keep moving, and it makes being home torturous. It's something I personally struggle with so I know it when I see it in someone else, especially someone I love.”

It’s the perfect song for those of us who yearn to see the world, especially as a means to confront our demons and our true selves.

She Wants to Go Dancing

“She Wants to Go Dancing” is a reminder to live in the moment, even when your anxieties tend to get the better of you. The singer meets a girl whose only desire is to dance the night away with no strings attached. Yet, by the end of the songs he feels there could be something much deeper between them.

It elicits the visual of being at a party or a concert and finally dancing with the person you’ve had your eye on all night. The melody is light and upbeat, making it easy to get lost in.

You Are Who She Loves

“You Are Who She Loves” is a slow song that reminds the listener that they are loved by someone, even when things don't come easy. The song is uncomplicated with its instrumentals and lyrics, but it still gives me chills every time I listen. It is a beautiful, moving song that is accomplished in an unpretentious package.

Hope We Have Fun.

“Hope We Have Fun.” wraps up the album in a satisfying, reflective bow. It describes the hopes that the singer has for his life and his future relationships. He vows to be there when his loved ones need him, writing, “I will carry you when your dream dies // swim with you when the seas rise, singing // Whoa, I hope we have fun.”

This simple proclamation is really all most people are looking for; a simple promise that the ones you love will show up for you in the highs and the lows, even when it isn’t convenient. With its simple guitar melody and emotional vocals, this song is relatable and comforting. While we can all get caught up in our day to day anxieties, it can be easy to forget the big picture that, at the end of it all, life is supposed to be exciting. This song reminds us of that.

This album truly lives up to its name because it is a fun listen. While there is a clear rock sound that is not as evident in other Mt. Joy projects, their classic folk and indie-pop sounds are carefully intertwined throughout. These songs may be best enjoyed on a road trip or outside at a concert with your closest friends. It’s a free-spirited album that reminds the listener to experience life to its fullest and have as much fun as they can in the process. It goes through themes of both grief and triumph, encapsulating the depths of the human experience in a 40-minute album. I love this project, and it will definitely be heavy in my rotation this summer.

Written By Tessa Brainard