Joy Formidable's Debut Album 'All Ready to Go'

Last month, after being out in the UK for more than a year, the debut EP from noisy Welsh drama-pop trio the Joy Formidable finally got a US release. With luck, fans won't have to wait as long for the follow-up, a full-length offering singer and guitarist Ritzy Bryan says is "all ready to go."

"We're sort of in that boring business stage, I suppose," Bryan tells Spinner. "We're figuring out how we're going to put it out there. It's all a bit undecided, but we're all feeling good. We've been approached by some people."

As with its previous effort, 'A Balloon Called Moaning,' the Joy Formidable opted to self-produce the album. Bryan says she and her bandmates wanted to expand the EP's sound, creating "not a departure," but an improvement on that record's dark, anthemic brand of pop.

"Sonically, it's got a lot of the signatures of 'A Balloon Called Moaning,' but we've managed to capture an even bigger sound, maybe, because the live sound is now so established," Bryan says. "We're so aware of our live dynamic."

The Joy Formidable will demonstrate its live prowess this summer, as it plays a handful of European and Australian festivals. More so than the group's inaugural US club dates earlier this year, the massive outdoor shows will allow Bryan and company to ramp up the effects and indulge their stadium-rock fantasies.

"Definitely on the live sound we've been very attracted to bands that just really go for it," Bryan says. "That's something we've always kind of admired: bands that let go, borderline being kind of aggressive with it."

In addition to touring, Bryan, bassist Rhydian Dafydd and drummer Matt Thomas have been keeping busy writing new music. When the group, now based in London, eventually settles on a label, it may need to negotiate a multi-record deal.

"We've kind of even started on album number two," Bryan says.