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After releasing several buzzy singles and EPs, Slow Joy, helmed by artist Esteban Flores, has announced his full-length debut album. A Joy So Slow At Times I Don't Think It's Coming, produced by Mike Sapone, is a unique blend of emo and shoegaze, characterized by its dreamy, atmospheric shoegaze elements and emo's raw, emotional intensity. The record's lead single, "Gruesome," delivers sharp, punk-inspired energy with an unforgettable melody, giving fans a glimpse of the powerful themes and soundscapes they can expect.

The single epitomizes the LP's dynamic emotional depth. It is a fierce, chugging anthem blends punk energy with tight hooks. Flores's addictive vocals open up feelings of confusion, doubt, and listlessness, crooning over the production, "Cause it's digging in my chest/ Caving from the weight/ A ringing in my head/ Every other day/ Do we have to be gruesome/ To feel." In the explosive and gritty chorus, he admits that under the surface, he's bitter, nervous, and just trying to do his best to survive the complexities of life and "make it out alive," looking for something to give him any sense of relief.

Traversing the country on his first US tour in late 2024, Flores felt his Chicano identity come into focus. "You're on the East Coast in a super white city, you see four brown kids there and go, 'Those are Slow Joy's." One conversation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was particularly resonant. "Someone told me, 'It's important to keep doing what you're doing, championing it for all of us, because we had to work really hard to get to do music. Our families didn't come from much. We had to grow into this. This is important for our culture.'"

The accompanying music video, directed by Alex Farias, follows Flores as he is abducted and revealed to a secret masked cult. Stuck in the middle of the desert, he performs for his life in front of his captors, eventually getting carried off into the back of a truck and hooded again before being whisked away to another unknown destination, with his fate hanging in the balance.

The album represents Flores' most personal work yet, delving into the depths of human emotion. He uses his music to explore the challenges of processing loss, drawing inspiration from his Mexican-American roots and life experiences. Tracks like "Te Amo" and "Do I Wear You Out" balance emotional storytelling with soaring, cathartic sounds. Flores' ability to pair vulnerability with intensity makes this album a standout debut. Collaborations with artists like Josh Varnadore and Zach DeGaetano also bring new dimensions to his music, ensuring the record has something for everyone.

Check out Slow Joy's latest single, "Gruesome," today!