LOVE + POP Pt 2

LOVE + POP Pt 2 represents a significant stylistic pivot for Nick Rattigan's Current Joys project. Released in 2024 as a companion to its predecessor, the album fully leans into the 'hyper-indie' aesthetic, blending the artist's signature melancholic songwriting with production techniques borrowed from hyperpop, trap, and glitchcore. While previous albums like 'Wild Heart' relied on surf-rock loops and lo-fi tape aesthetics, this record utilizes aggressive digital manipulation and frantic BPMs. The recording context suggests a deliberate attempt to break the 'bedroom pop' mold by incorporating the chaotic energy of the SoundCloud rap scene - specifically referenced in track titles like 'carti'. Critical reception has noted the album's polarizing nature, praising its boldness while acknowledging it as a sharp turn away from the slowcore roots that initially defined the project's fan base. It stands as a document of an artist intentionally disrupting their own brand to reflect a more fractured, modern reality.