The Joy Of Life International (End Of The Road Records)
The Golden Dregs - Godspeed The Golden Dregs
Pickup available at Record Corner
Usually ready in 2-4 days
“We’ve been dying to meet you,” Ben Woods sings on “Linoleum”, the second single from Godspeed, album number four for The Golden Dregs. This rousing greeting doubles as a mission statement for the project. What began as a solo endeavour by the then Cornwall-based multi-instrumentalist and producer has grown into a six-member ensemble, each artist deeply rooted in London’s grassroots music scene. On Godspeed, for the first time, each band member contributes individually, but Woods’ songwriting and resonant baritone remain at the core — an anchor welcoming listeners into the fold.
The city plays its part here. A very close ear will pick up London’s cranky ambience, recorded on a handheld recorder by synth player Davy Roderick, then woven into the songs. And where the previous The Golden Dregs record, On Grace & Dignity (4AD), held up a light to and lamented a certain kind of rural experience, Godspeed turns the contrast up three or four notches above its predecessor, feeling cut through with the spirit of the city because of it. The highs are higher: a wall of sound soars more and more euphorically on penultimate track, "The Wave”. The lows are lower: “I think I’ve had enough to last a lifetime” announces the chorus on "The Weight of it All”, a beautifully devastating homage to irreparable situations, sung by Issie Armstrong.
“People have inspired this record. To be in a densely crowded space, surrounded by strangers, and to think for a moment how every person is living out their own stories, figuring out loss and love and frustration and all the things that make up the human experience - I find that so curious. It’s a deeply personal record, but I like to think that it is personal with open arms, an experience to be shared.”
Indeed, The Golden Dregs’ songs have always been less about telling individual stories and more about narrative vignettes, snippets of images that leave the listener guessing. And although Godspeed has a clear sense of character — “I came here to drink on my own, I don’t see the problem” (Heron) eerie synthesisers abounding; “maybe it’s time I was taken out to pasture / since lately I’ve been getting it wrong” (The Company of Strangers) — this is not introspective music. It looks beyond its author and his immediate situation to something more collective.
While it continues the sonic signatures of the previous records from The Golden Dregs, Godspeed is more immediate. The hooks are constant — hear “Perfume”, “The Company of Strangers”, Stranglers-esque cut “If You’d Seen Him” — but rarely resort to familiar tropes, leaving room for unpredictable turns. This assuredness is given further weight by the fact that Woods own label Joy of Life International, an imprint of and collaboration with End of the Road Records will release the album: a statement of independence and creative intent. Much like the current incarnation of The Golden Dregs, Joy of Life International is also a dynamic collective – January 2025 sees the label release its first non-The Golden Dregs music: a single by Ohtis, an established alt-country project based in Normal, Illinois, produced by Ben Woods, with further releases in the pipeline.
“Songs are such a precious commodity. This label has been established out of necessity, to create a space in which these songs, and the songs of other writers that I admire, may be platformed and encouraged and celebrated. It also provides a release avenue for some of the artists that I produce, a sort of farm to table approach to music making.”
Last year, in between finishing this new record and setting up Kate Bush’s former studio as a new base for solo work and Joy of Life International, the band supported Future Islands at Crystal Palace Park, opened for Ezra Furman at Union Chapel and sold out a series of surprise intimate gigs to test new material. The future looks bright for these songs to find their people. Godspeed.
Pickup Availability
-
Record Corner
Pickup available, usually ready in 2-4 daysRecord Corner
Pound Lane
Godalming GU7 1BX
United Kingdom447988164697
Product information
Shipping
KMRIA Records use Royal Mail to send all deliveries. All prices are per Royal Mail set pricing structure.
NOTE: 1 LP weighs approx. 0.23 Kg and 1 Single weighs approx. 0.60kg. 5 LPs therefore, can be sent for under 2KG.
United Kingdom
- Singles/7”: £2.52, Signed 2nd Class Royal Mail
- LPs and 10”: £4 for up to 2kg and less than £50 – Signed 2nd Class Royal Mail
- LPs and 10”: £5.10 for up to 2kg and between £51 and £150 – Tracked 48 Signed
- LPS and 10”: £12.00 for up to 2kg and over £150 – Royal Mail Special Delivery
- For Packages above 2kg (6 plus records) – £10.95 up to 5kg and 15.95 from 5k to 10k
Delivery is by Parcel Force
Europe
- Singles/7” : £8.45, Royal Mail Signed and Tracked
- LPs and 10”: £11.50 for up to 2kg and less than £500 – Royal Mail Signed and Tracked
- For Packages above 2kg (6 plus records) – £18.75 up to 10kg.
Delivery is by Parcel Force
World Zone 1
United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, India, China, Japan, Hong Kong, Israel, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Vietnam.
- Singles/LPs/10”: £14.00 up to 1.5kg and less than £500 – Royal Mail Signed and Tracked
- Singles/LPs/10”: £18.00 over 1.5kg and less than 2kg and less than £500 – Royal Mail Signed and Tracked
- For Packages above 2kg (6 plus records) – £35 up to 10kg.
Delivery is by Parcel Force
World Zone 2
Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Fiji.
- Singles/LPs/10”: £15.00 up to 1.5kg and less than £500 – Royal Mail Signed and Tracked
- Singles/LPs/10”: £21.50 over 1.5kg and less than 2kg and less than £500 – Royal Mail Signed and Tracked
- For Packages above 2kg (6 plus records) – £43 up to 10kg.
Delivery is by Parcel Force
Returns and Cancellation Policy
At Record Corner, we are committed to ensuring your satisfaction with every purchase you make. We understand that circumstances may change, and you might need to cancel an order or return a product. Our Returns and Cancellation Policy is designed to provide you with clear guidelines and information on your rights and responsibilities when it comes to cancelling orders and returning goods under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation & Additional Charges) Regulations. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the key points outlined below.
Right to Cancel
Under the Consumer Contracts Regulations, you have the right to cancel your order for goods. This right begins the moment you place your order and lasts for 14 days from the day you receive the goods.
Cancellation Deadline
To meet the cancellation deadline, kindly notify us of your decision to cancel your order before the 14-day cancellation period expires. You can contact us via email or phone to initiate the cancellation process.
Returning Goods
If you decide to cancel your order, you are responsible for taking reasonable care of the goods while they are in your possession. To complete the return process, send the goods back to our contact address at your own expense. Exceptions apply if we delivered the item in error, or if the item is damaged or defective.
Cost of Recovery
In case the returned goods are not received within the specified conditions, we reserve the right to charge you for the direct costs incurred in recovering the goods.
Refunds
Once you have notified us of your decision to cancel the order, any payments made will be promptly refunded to you. You can expect the refund to be processed within 14 days of your cancellation.
Items Not Eligible for Cancellation or Return
Certain goods and services are exempt from the right to cancel, including prescription medicines, personalized goods, rapidly perishable items, and more. Please refer to our policy for a comprehensive list of non-cancelable and non-returnable items.
Forfeiture of Cancellation Right
Your right to cancel may be forfeited if you unseal goods that are not suitable for return due to hygiene or health reasons, unseal sealed audio/video recordings or software, or combine goods with other items to make them inseparable.
At Record Corner, we value your satisfaction and aim to make your shopping experience as smooth as possible. Our Returns and Cancellation Policy ensures transparency and fairness in all interactions. If you have any questions or concerns about cancelling an order or returning goods, our dedicated customer service team is here to assist you.
Please note that specific regulations and details may vary based on your location and the applicable laws. For a detailed understanding of our policy and your rights, we recommend reviewing our complete Returns and Cancellation Policy or contacting our customer service representatives.
Remember that your satisfaction is our priority, and we are here to help you at every step of the way.
