Following the release of his debut album A Joy So Slow At Times I Don’t Think It’s Coming in 2025, alternative rock artist Slow Joy releases his single, “SLC Punk on an SSRI,” via MDDN records. This new single will be featured on his upcoming sophomore album Esteban Flores.
With his past album gaining popularity for his original, genre-bending sound and deeply personal lyricism, “SLC Punk on an SSRI” reinforces his versatility in instrumentation and vocals. The song opens with a lone guitar riff, and immediately after it ends, the track explodes with distorted guitar chords and heavy percussion.
The most remarkable element of the song, however, is the way the vocals counteract the intensity of the instrumentation when they come in next, like they are serving as the “SSRI” mentioned in the title. Layered in octaves with a falsetto voice on top, the vocals carry an ethereal quality, very reminiscent of Novo Amor and Bon Iver’s vocal styles.
Whereas in his past releases his vocals took on more punk and rock influences, he embraces a softer sound vocal-wise and a heavier sound instrument-wise in this single. The sharp contrast between these elements satisfyingly portrays the particular kind of love the lyrics describe: one that feels intense, euphoric, and peaceful all at once. Although the word “love” doesn’t appear in the lyrics, he communicates it more intimately with the line, “you don’t need to say it back.” That lyric and the one repeated in the outro, “I’ll always be here,” convey a sense of selflessness that adds to the song’s warmth.
Slow Joy shares more about the creation of the single:
“SLC Punk on an SSRI was the song that gave me the sense that this album was going to be what I had been chasing for years. I wanted to make a song (and album) that I’d be proud to show to my heroes. Something that an Isaac Brock might actually fuck with. It’s one of those songs that I would still love even if everyone I know told me it wasn’t good. Also, the title is gold.”
In this single, Slow Joy creates a refreshingly original sound while keeping his signature warmth and vulnerability in his lyricism.
Fans can see Slow Joy live this summer as he kicks off his I Love You So Much I Could Die tour starting July 17. The tour will feature guest performances from Bike Routes, Glom, and The High Curbs. Tickets are available here.
I Love You So Much I Could Die Tour 2026
July 17 — Houston, TX — The Secret Group
July 18 — Austin, TX — Brushy Street Commons
July 19 — Oklahoma City, OK — Resonant Head
July 21 — Albuquerque, NM — Launchpad
July 22 — Phoenix, AZ — The Rosetta Room
July 23 — Los Angeles, CA — The Roxy Theater, supporting Free Throw
July 24 — San Diego, CA — Soda Bar
July 26 — Las Vegas, NV — The Grey Witch
July 28 — Denver, CO — Marquis Theater
July 30 — Madison, WI — The Annex
July 31 — Indianapolis, IN — HI-FI
August 1 — Lakewood, OH — Mahall’s
August 2 — Lansing, MI — The Green Door
August 4 — Toronto, ON — The Garrison
August 6 — Garwood, NJ — Crossroads
August 7 — Boston, MA — Sonia
August 8 — Brooklyn, NY — Elsewhere – Zone One
August 9 — Vienna, VA — Jammin Java
August 11 — Chapel Hill, NC — Local 506
August 12 — Atlanta, GA — The Masquerade
August 14 — Dallas, TX — House of Blues – Cambridge Room
