If you haven’t guessed it by now, one of my favourite things is discovering new music. So, when I received an email about Jopy’s single, Headhunters Pub and Grub, with the topic line “Queer Cannibals with superpowers… running a country pub?” I was intrigued. A song about cannibals who gain superpowers from eating people? Definitely not your typical subject matter! The song stood out not only for its unusual theme but also for its glam, alternative vibe that left me eager to check out their debut EP.
Jopy is a three-piece band from Brighton, fronted by songwriter Jo Parnell. Their music celebrates queerness through the lens of camp horror fiction but draws deeply from personal experiences. Jo explains: “I want to write songs that people can relate to and feel seen by, without having to relive the more difficult aspects of their journeys. That’s why I choose to convey my experiences in the form of fun, campy horror stories.”
Their sound has been compared to The B-52s, The Cramps, and even The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which became obvious while listening to Planet Zombie. The retro, energetic vibe was clear, but I also felt there were deeper influences shaping their sound.
One track, Purchase No.3, gave me strong Stone Roses and Britpop vibes, with an indie-rock flair that gradually evolved into something more psychedelic, especially towards the end where the music takes on a trippy, dreamlike quality. That same psychedelic twist also appears on Honey the Vampire. Meanwhile, their single Graveyard Romance brings a darker tone, echoing the gothic stylings of Siouxsie Sioux, with its blend of danceable indie and goth-pop.
Jopy’s music is bold, unapologetically queer, and refreshingly original. With its blend of camp, horror, and glam, they manage to tap into something both deeply personal and wildly entertaining. Their debut EP is definitely something to look forward to if you’re into music that’s fun, theatrical, and full of surprises.
Planet Zombie is out now, on Goo Records and you can get it here
You can find Jopy in the following places: Instagram/Facebook
Review by Hayley Foster da Silva
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