• Record Label: Kemado
  • Release Date: Apr 23, 2013
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 15
  2. Negative: 0 out of 15
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  1. Apr 19, 2013
    90
    In their best moments, No Joy not only expand on these ideas, but improve on them.
  2. Aug 1, 2013
    80
    Anthemic stuff abounds here but they really hit a powerful stride in the middle with the fast-paced “Lizard Kids,” the funky bottom of “Lunar Phobia” and the girl-group sweetness of “Wrack Attack.”
  3. Apr 24, 2013
    80
    While improving on the sheer sound of Ghost Blonde on nearly every level, No Joy are still more suggestive than declarative.
  4. Apr 22, 2013
    80
    Wait to Pleasure is a marked improvement on their debut that demonstrates No Joy's capacity as sonic adventurists capitalizing on the advantages of a studio environment.
  5. Apr 22, 2013
    80
    No Joy toss in other genre references outside of the official shoegaze cannon to keep things fresh and invigorating.
  6. Apr 19, 2013
    80
    Wait To Pleasure shows new facets, but that shoegaze tag isn’t likely to disappear soon.
  7. Apr 25, 2013
    78
    Textured as it comes, the album drips with heady shoegaze, and meaty bass lines prevail in a melodic, rewarding sonic endeavor.
  8. Uncut
    Dec 6, 2013
    70
    This power trio makes no attempt whatsoever to hide their stylistic sonic cathedral. [Jan 2014, p.76]
  9. Apr 25, 2013
    70
    The record loses its way a touch over its second half, ultimately lacking the songwriting craft to deliver emotional gratification, though it’s naggingly close.
  10. Apr 24, 2013
    70
    The truth is that No Joy is unadulterated, all-surrounding sound.
  11. Apr 22, 2013
    70
    Contrary to the band’s name, there are a lot of joys to be found in Wait To Pleasure.
  12. 70
    It’s a far more eccentric record than their first effort, stretching past the obvious influences that led to their pigeonholing as a shoegaze band, but loses a little of the unbroken, hypnotic atmosphere as a result.
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 4
  2. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Nov 10, 2013
    8
    It's always quite difficult to say why a band doing music which is particularly derivative of some other band's music succeeds in doing whatIt's always quite difficult to say why a band doing music which is particularly derivative of some other band's music succeeds in doing what they do. In that case, there is no arguing that No Joy is channelling the likes of Slowdive and My Bloody Valentine. Yet, everything on this album is exceedingly well crafted from the roaring starting track E to the dreamier Blue Neck Riviera. All in all, in spite of its lack of originality, it's a very satisfying album. Full Review »