Joudy covers Massive Attack’s “Angel”

Joudy are no strangers to creative transformation; originally hailing from Venezuela and now based in New York City, the garage rock trio have spent the past decade developing a sound that fuses aggression with immersive atmosphere. Featuring the talents of Diego Ramirez, Carlos Rey and Hulrich Navas, the band were separated by political unrest in their home country before reuniting in the USA in 2020, a move that reenergised their creative direction and opened an exciting new chapter.

Their journey began over ten years ago with the release of their debut album La Bestia in 2013, a debut that introduced their gritty aesthetic and refusal to play by the rules. Followed by 2016’s sophomore record Obertura, Joudy continued to explore the fringes of garage rock with music that was as cerebral as it was visceral. But it was Destroy All Monsters, their 2023 full-length, that saw the band reach a new artistic peak. The record, a shadowy and reflective foray into themes of determination and transformation, marked a turning point. Dark, atmospheric and emotionally dense, it struck a chord with listeners and tastemakers alike, earning the band a wave of critical acclaim.

With a sonic identity that draws on dissonance, hypnotic rhythms and a palpable sense of intensity, Joudy has been going from strength to strength in recent years via studio releases and magnetic live shows. Their latest release continues that momentum with an epic reinterpretation of Massive Attack’s iconic track titled “Angel.”

A longtime staple of their live performances, the band has now officially released their cover via the Trash Casual imprint, reimagining the trip hop classic in their own sonic vision. Gone is the brooding, smooth pulse of the original, in its place are snarling guitars, a weighty bassline and impactful drums that tear into the track’s core themes with conviction and grit.

Brought in by the dark pluck of bass guitar and dash of delay-drenched guitar scrapes, the steady patter of drums sets a mesmeric groove, peppered by sparse guitar flickers before the lead vocals glide in to thread the eerie melodic leads. Building with the crash of drums, crunch of guitar layers and wild, bluesy lead licks and feedback, the track sees Joudy reframe a trip hop classic in an intense, alternative rock setting, resulting in a thrilling cover that pays respect to the original while casting it in a completely new light.

Accompanying the release is a music video directed by Esteban Chacin, featuring actress Isabelle Carey. Shot in stark monochrome, the video shifts between footage of Isabelle and scenes of the band performing the song in a trance-like jam. It’s a spectacular visual feast that’s gripping and engrossing from start to finish, offering the perfect display of Joudy’s raucous rock sound as they continue to impress on their compelling musical adventure.

Watch the video for Angel below

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