March 15, 2023
Review by: Ally Arens
(Thumbnail image by Jay Martin. Photos provided by PR)
Slow Joy, the indie solo project of Texas musician Esteban Flores, is back with an absolute banger of a track that is perfect for any beach day/summer vibes playlist with a hint of an emo flair.
Out today, March 15, “Pulling Teeth” is the lead single from Slow Joy’s upcoming EP Mi Amigo Slow Joy, set for release this summer, and it sounds hand-picked for alt radio success, in all the best ways. The track opens with a few lines of soft and soothing vocals, before quickly building into the first chorus with booming guitars and a rhythmic, punchy drumline. The song ebbs and flows in a very elegant way, and is one of those tracks that delivers a lyrical gut-punch that would leave many sobbing on their bedroom floor, especially with the chorus line “I bet you’re sick of pulling teeth, but hold me down ‘til I believe that I’m ok”, while the instrumentals sound extremely upbeat and vibe-y. Though I have not been fortunate enough to catch a Slow Joy live set (yet), I see this as a track that would be extraordinary live – I envision a wave of guitar tones echoing through the venue as the crowd sways and sings along.
Flores mentioned in a social media post promoting the track that it was written as “a thank-you to his significant other for sticking around even during the hard times,” and in my opinion, the track personifies this beautifully. We all have our ups and downs, and having people close to us who are there for the bad times just as much as the good is extremely important. Music is a powerful tool for processing emotions, both creating and listening, and Flores offers a wonderful outlet for both himself and the audience through his music, with “Pulling Teeth” sure to become a staple in his discography.
While “Pulling Teeth” was my first exposure to the music of Slow Joy, I can happily proclaim that this will not be the last song I listen to, and I am eagerly awaiting what is to come!
Slow Joy has a short run of shows booked throughout Colorado at the end of the month, and more shows are sure to come, so follow Slow Joy on your preferred social media platforms to keep up with him. “Pulling Teeth” is available now on all major streaming services.
The Encore Nights 