INTERVIEW: Joel Christian drops new record

Joel Christian is a Los Angeles-based dark pop sensation who’s been crafting his highly original sonic vision over the last six years. With a carefully curated dark aesthetic that blends haunting visuals, electronic beats and catchy lyrics, Joel delivers a thrilling artistic spectacle where fantasy and reality intertwine. His style has been dubbed “electronic pop with a dark twist,” a label that perfectly captures the energy he brings to each of his releases.

By forging this mysterious, yet danceable musical world, he’s staked his claim as one of pop music’s most intriguing new voices. Joel’s approach to music takes cues from artists like Depeche Mode, David Bowie, Lady Gaga, Kim Petras and Charli XCX, while venturing into his own thoroughly unique world. His sound is dark, bold,and theatrical, serving up a space where listeners can immerse themselves in the dark and electrifying universe he’s built.

First unveiling his sound in 2018 via the debut single “Take My Picture,” he followed up with a string of tracks in the build up to his debut album, Dark Magic, in 2020. Not only capturing the attention of listeners around the world, over the years he’s been highlighted in over a hundred different press platforms including Buzz Music, Hype Magazine, Music News UK, Nude Mag, ANR Factory and The Queer Reviews among others.

Following a hiatus from sharing his original sonic vision, earlier this year he returned with the new single “Mystery” and now brings us his latest release with his brand new six-track record titled It Only Comes At Night. Kicked off by the bright fluttering synth tones of “Take A Bite,” a bouncy dance pop sound flows with Joel’s soaring vocals glide above the grooving arrangement spinning playful, horror-tinged lyrics via infectious melodic leads.

“Dark Eyeliner” keeps the energy up with a burst of punchy drums and swirling synth textures capped by catchy vocal hooks, resulting in a memorable, uptempo jam. “Siren” slips into a dark and moody scene with the rattle of pulsing synths driven by the charge of thumping beats and haunting vocal lines which drift throughout to form an enveloping listening experience from start to finish.

With “Crawlin’,” stabbing synths and jumpy beats collide before dropping back as Joel’s spacey voice enters to set up a futuristic dance pop extravaganza. On “No Tomorrow,” slick bass grooves and steady beats are met with an emotive vocal performance as the energy swells before the track launches into an invigorating synth pop soundscape. Closing the record with “Where Did He Go?,” Joel serves up a concise dose of his instantly catchy sound with a mix of bold synth tones, striking drums and smooth vocals to present an epic ninety-second finale to his superb new release.

We caught up with Joel Christian to find out more about his musical journey so far, his new record It Only Comes At Night and what he’s got lined up for the future. Check out our interview with Joel Christian below.

Hey Joel, how’s things?

Hey, Plastic Mag! I’m good! Super excited to release my new project and let the fans hear what I’ve been working on this last year! How’s my fam in the UK??

We’re doing good, thanks! What’s your earliest memory of making music?

I started making music when Myspace first came out in the early 2000’s. I saw a bunch of what we call now “influencers” just making beats and creating their own songs so I was like, hey I want to do that. I started out when I was like 18, and performed in night clubs to my own electronic songs that I made on my computer and that was truly the start of my musical journey.

Which artists do you draw most inspiration from?

I love artists who are not only themselves, but also fearless in their approach to their sound. I love seeing artists show their individuality in their look and their sound. Right now, I am really obsessed with Chappel Roan & Charli XCX. I love that they just made albums that spoke to them and the world reacted so brilliantly. It was truly a cultural movement for pop culture I believe.

How else do you find inspiration for your music?

I get inspired by so many things…whether it’s a melody, a cool word, an experience I’m going through or someone else is going through. I just write it down on my phone. Sometimes I hear melodies in my head, that’s what happened with “Mystery” and “Siren” and I just record it on my phone prior to going to the studio. A lot of my songs start as titles or concepts, and then I build around that with the verses and the lyrics. I would say this album was a mixture of personal inspirations and fantasy inspirations to create its own identity in the project of “It Only Comes at Night”

What’s been your highlight of the year so far?

I have a few… back in January we recorded a buzz single, “Mystery” which we shot an amazing music video for. I was truly so thankful and honoured to have such a creative team, MultiMojo productions, behind the project. But big picture highlights, I think would be realising my potential as an artist. For so many years, I’ve struggled with anxiety and the battle between the duality of being an artist vs. creating art. I love being creative and showing that vulnerability through my art. It’s what makes me unique and myself. So It’s been a journey for me. I’ve been making electronic dance pop music for over 15 years. “It Only Comes At Night” was a big highlight for me as I continued to write every single song and even co-produce the entire album. I’m so proud of it. Every song is a banger.

What do you love about the Los Angeles music scene?

I love the hunger people have chasing their dreams there. I love the hustle culture of wanting to show the world who you are and making your mark. There are so many talented people within that city that it kind of becomes a blur of so much talent all in one city. I think there’s no place like it when it comes to the entertainment industry.

What would you say is the perfect setting for listeners to enjoy your sound?

I think in a dark night club with zombies in leather pants… just kidding. But maybe? I think the best place would be in a night club dancing with your friends or even blasting it in your car. This new album every single song hits you really hard with heavy bass, kick drums, synthesisers, and twists and turns of fx. Once you play it, I think you’ll just go into an electronic dimension. 🙂

How has your own style and sound evolved since you started out?

I think I’ve just become more confident within my sound. Since I remember making music I was always drawn to pop. But I wanted mine to sound different. I wanted it to stand out. I’ve always been a fan of electro-pop, dance, eurodance, house and all the music that makes your body move and feel energy. That to me is huge within my art. I want you to FEEL my energy. I think my sound has stayed within the realm of electronic dance pop music but I’ve elevated my confidence not only with my vocals but with my visuals to back up the projects. I have a very solid creative team that is ready to execute any idea I have. They are the true evolution to my artistry.

Has your production process changed over the years too?

Yes. This last album I got to co-produce and dive into a lot more which was so fun for me. My previous album, “Dark Magic” was in the final stages of recording during the pandemic in 2020, so a lot of my production was done via zoom and in my bedroom. With this new album, I got to be hands on in the studio. Listening to every single instrument being added. Recording and comping my vocals etc. It was much more of a hands on experience, which I think shows through this album.

Who would be your dream artist to collaborate with?

EEEEK!!!! I have so many… solo artists would be any of my pop girlies… Ava Max, Kim Petras, Charli XCX… actual groups maybe like Chromeo, Glass Animals, or maybe a cool DJ like Kygo, Tiesto, Alok. I love all sorts of artists for different reasons.

How did you find making your new album ‘It Only Comes At Night’?

I wanted to get back to my roots. I reviewed my most streamed song, “Rise from the Grave” from my previous album…and I was like this is my genre. This is my sound, my look, whatever you want to call it and I’m going to go full force into it. I knew I wanted this album to drop right before Halloween and have some sort of “suspenseful” theme to it. I started writing the songs and all of the lyrics just poured out of me. It was like a massive release of what I was holding onto, being fearful or anxious about the capabilities I had… and instead I went into the studio and ate that shit up. We knew the album needed to be back to back bangers, high intensity electronic songs, but still hold the identity of the Joel Christian sound. I came up with the title because it held some sort of mystery to it, but the songs are something you would hear haunting you in the middle of the night at a dance club. I also wanted it to be playful…”It Only Comes at Night” What comes at night? Is it me? Is it a creature? Is it the songs? I guess… it’s for the fans to figure out 🙂

What message did you want to get across with this release?

If you believe in yourself something magical will blossom. Truthfully, I didn’t know if I would ever make another album. I was working full time as a wardrobe stylist in Los Angeles during the creative process of my first album, “Dark Magic” and I gave it my all…and then covid hit. I was very defeated and needed a break. I think “Mystery” re-ignited that passion I have for creating music and led me to releasing this new project. I want my fans to know that anything you put your mind to and believe in, will happen. You are the driver in your life, so DRIVE!!!!

What artist have you been listening to most recently?

I’ve been listening to alot of electronic music from Alok, Tiesto, Justice, etc.

What’s the main thing you want people to get out of listening to your music?

To feel the energy and uniqueness and if it can create a push towards their dreams and goals, I’m happy.

What’s been your favourite live performance so far?

I haven’t performed live in a long time, but when I filmed my music video, “Mystery” back in January. It was really fun to be back in front of the camera to show my performance as an artist. Here is the music video!

Who would be 3 artists to headline your dream festival? And where would it be?

I think Miley Cyrus, Chromeo, and Roosevelt. Maybe San Francisco or New York or Sydney. Those are some of my favourite cities 🙂

Do you have any advice for a new artist wanting to follow your footsteps?

Be yourself and go for it. Cancel out the noise and trust your gut.

Finally, what do you have lined up for the rest of 2024?

I have some tricks and ideas up my sleeve. My mind is always changing with what I want to do. I am SO excited for my fans around the world to hear “It Only Comes At Night.” I think it’s an amazing EP into my world that makes me happy and feel safe. I have some ideas to expand the world within this project, but for now it’s a secret… Follow Instagram to see my updates 🙂

Listen to It Only Comes At Night below