Joseph — a duo from Portland, Oregon consisting of sisters Natalie and Meegan Closner — released their latest album, “Closer to Happy,” on Friday. After multiple viral hits and performances at both the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and The Tonight Show, the group’s previous work left big shoes to fill — but their latest release perfectly delivers a heartfelt ode on what it means to be human.
With 12 tracks, the indie-pop album — Joseph’s first full-length record release since the 2024 departure of the group’s cofounder Allison Closner — contains songs ranging from joy to heartbreak. The album starts with “Bye and Bye,” a mournful lament in which Natalie and Meegan sing, “Why do I think I know a thing about life?”
With a catchy chorus and varied instrumentation, the first track escalates to an energized sound that sets a fun tone for the ensuing songs. The second song on the album, “Closer to Me,” is bright and echoes Maggie Rogers in its catchy tune. While the song is not particularly original, its peppy energy makes for an enjoyable listen.
“Ready to Let You Down” is a standout track from the album. After the song begins with a fun drum beat, the sisters sing “Perfect score on the performance / Feeling so responsible / Always so much to be holding / Is this on mute? Cause I’m inaudible.” Much of the album is defined by such vulnerability in the artists’ lyrics, and this song is no exception.
The penultimate track, “Chills,” showcases the sisters’ vocal skills as they harmonize beautifully, layering their voices to imbue the song with an elegant and full sound. The album seems as if it’s meant to be experienced live, which is convenient given that the artists are going on tour this spring and performing in Providence in April.
The duo released a music video for “Ready to Let You Down” in September. The video’s retro aesthetic complements the album well while also offering a glimpse into the energy fans can expect onstage during the tour.
The entire album is underscored by an air of hopefulness and resilience, which is especially present in “Water in the Room.” Even though the song itself seems to be about relationship challenges, it is infused with a determination and nonchalance that overshadows the melancholy lyrics.
While there is little to the album that makes it truly stand out, it is nonetheless an enjoyable musical journey that only gets better with each listen.
Talia LeVine is a section editor covering arts and culture. They study Political Science and Visual Art with a focus on photography. In their free time, they can be found drinking copious amounts of coffee.
