There are some albums that make you want to sit quietly with headphones on and really study them. Then there are albums that make you want to text your friends, get yourselves to the nearest rooftop, and dance until 2 a.m. The Jungle Giants’ newest album Experiencing Feelings of Joy is exactly that kind of record: the perfect summer dance album.
Somehow, despite the fact that The Jungle Giants have been making music since 2013, I had never properly tapped in. A fact I am now slightly embarrassed by, considering they’ve been sitting at the forefront of Australian indie dance for over a decade. Following 2022’s remix album tied to their 2021 project Love Signs, this release feels like a bright, glittering return that reminds you exactly why dance music and indie pop are such a dangerous combination when done right. I dare you not to dance while listening to this album.
The record opens with “Tell Me How It Feels,” starting deceptively slow, with voices drifting in before the track fully hits with punchy, almost punky vocals. It quickly unfolds into the kind of euphoric dance music that feels tailor-made for summer, the kind of song that sounds even better when everyone is outside, a little sun-drunk, and convinced life is about to change for the better. The chorus, lifted by gorgeous female backing vocals, makes the repeated line “will you tell me how it feels baby?/when I hold you in my arms baby” land with full emotional force.
“A Moment Like That” wastes no time and immediately throws you onto the dance floor. It has this undeniable ’80s shimmer, feeling like the perfect meeting point between Chromeo and Disclosure. It’s sleek, sexy, and ridiculously fun. By the time they’re asking “will you touch me like that?” you’re already sold. Honestly, this song alone convinced me this album needs to be on vinyl.
“Where Can I Put All My Love” pulls things back just enough without losing momentum. There’s something in the vocals that feels reminiscent of Glass Animals, while the overall energy leans somewhere between Foster the People and Jungle. It has a glittery disco quality that feels soft and sweet rather than explosive, proving the album knows exactly when to breathe.
“All The Time in the World” is one of those tracks where you suddenly realize three minutes have passed and you were fully somewhere else. It pulls you in without demanding attention, which somehow makes it even stronger.
“How Can I Replace You” is another standout, opening with a delicate piano melody and distant voices that slowly build louder and louder until the whole thing reaches a euphoric frenzy. The piano quietly rules the track, giving the four-and-a-half-minute runtime an understated elegance. It feels like a necessary pause before the final stretch of the album, and the way it ends back on piano is a perfect touch.
“In A Nice Way” might be one of the most fun songs here. It sounds like runway music in the best possible sense: sharp, stylish, and somehow capable of making you feel instantly hotter. When the beat drops, it’s impossible not to picture yourself dramatically walking down a street like it’s your own personal fashion campaign.
Then there’s “Are You Seeing Anyone?,” which is, first of all, an incredibly relatable title. Beyond that, it has real movement to it. It feels restless and hopeful at the same time, with lines like “are you looking for a love?” and “we could shine” giving it a sweetness underneath all that kinetic energy. If I were a runner, this would absolutely be on my sprint playlist.
“Love Sick” brings the funk back in full force, with “I’m a little love sick / no one else can fix it” delivered in a way that feels playful instead of dramatic. “Is It Love?” leans further into glossy pop vocals, while closing track “World’s Getting Smaller” begins with a slower piano intro and melancholy vocals that let the album land somewhere softer and more reflective.
Love has always been central to The Jungle Giants’ world. You can hear it in Love Signs from 2022 and even back on Quiet Ferocity from 2017, where the high-pitched vocals and bass-driven production laid the groundwork for what they’re doing now. But Experience Feelings of Joy feels like the fullest realization of that vision: romantic, euphoric, stylish, and completely committed to making you move.
Some albums ask for your attention. This one asks for your best outfit, your loudest speaker, and your willingness to romanticize your entire summer. Experiencing Feelings of Joy is not just a great indie dance record, it’s the perfect soundtrack for warm nights, late plans, and every main-character walk home in between. Honestly, that sounds like joy to me.
Experiencing Feelings of Joy is out now.
0 comments on “The Jungle Giants Deliver the Perfect Summer Dance Album with ‘Experiencing Feelings of Joy’”