After travelling more than 100,000 miles in their mobile studio, recording across coasts, festivals, open skies, and temporary homes, American duo Future Joy presents their highly anticipated studio album, “NOW.” A record made for dancing, grounded in the present, and anchoring oneself in the joy of a life unfolding here and now.
Zach Simms and Emily Cooper, now also life partners, have managed to infuse these 13 tracks with everything that defines them: genre fusion, infectious energy that radiates from the dance floor to the soul, and a saxophone that swoops in like a third character—sensual, magnetic, and central to a collection that’s both vibrant and alive.
From the very first single, “When I’m With You,” Future Joy lives up to its name: pure joy. An upbeat ode to everyday love, the song ebbs and flows in intensity like an unexpected phone call or a rollercoaster you never want to get off.
Following in that same spirit is “Take My Heart,” a track that blends a classic sax sound with modern electronic beats. A bright, carefree declaration: I give you my heart as we dance, guided by the beat.
“Where Do You Wanna Go” perfectly encapsulates the album’s title, “NOW,” a reminder that there’s no better place to be than the present moment, especially with the ones we love.
Among the most standout tracks for its originality is “Make a Sandwich,” a song that may sound like a joke but transforms into a playful piece of absurdist art. It leans into the silliness of being human, channelling it with such precision and flair that it evokes Andy Warhol’s tomato soup cans. Distorted voices, ingredients recited like verses from a nonsensical poem, and an open invitation to yell if you’re hungry. It’s wild, fun, and a little unhinged: think early Blink-182, had they been armed with synthesisers.
“2 Phones” is an ode to sound itself. Broken tapes, 80s-style echoes, and old-school electronic mixing blend into a track that feels immersive and cinematic, like a DJ and a special effects engineer dreaming in sync.
“Figure It Out,” a collaboration with Vibe Street, Elton Tom, Dobarae, and White Dragon, dives into another realm: the philosophical. Amid sighs and existential musings, wind instruments return, creating a mood that’s both playful and profound. At this point, it’s clear: this is Future Joy’s signature.
“I Do” bursts with Latin flair: samba-like percussion, dancing trumpets, seductive saxophone, and a joyful female voice singing the most honest and simple truths: I love you, I need you, I want you. It feels vintage, as if Earth, Wind, and Fire were reborn in 2025.
By contrast, “The Greatest” and “Aftershocks” draw from 1970s groove and action movie vibes: a mix of James Bond, disco lights, sequins, and desire. The sax reappears in full force, injecting a dose of sensuality that pairs well with the album’s humour, like someone who knows that laughter is the ultimate way to flirt.
“Just Breathe,” “Not Alone,” and “Coast to Coast” round out the selection that builds Future Joy piece by piece, like a perfect puzzle completed with its final note. The result feels like stumbling across a forgotten bill in the sand and using it to buy a piña colada: pure, unexpected bliss.
As they continue spreading their infectious joy across the country, the band is set to take the stage at major festivals throughout 2025, including Bonnaroo, Hulaween, Secret Dreams, Shangri-La, Joshua Tree Music Festival, Oregon Country Fair, and many more. With energy building, the duo is already planning a full album release tour for fall 2025.
Without a doubt, the road, the festivals, and life itself are etched into NOW. Far from sounding like a debut, it feels more like a greatest-hits collection from a seasoned and celebrated group, one devoted to living in the moment, even if their name suggests otherwise.
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