[Album Review] EZ’s Reviw of Unity by Joost

Joost’s album Unity mixes the loud, energetic style of gabberpop with emotional and serious themes. The music is filled with heavy synths, distorted sounds, and fast beats that make listeners want to dance, but underneath the excitement there is a deeper message about loneliness, sadness, and the importance of people staying united.

One of the main ideas in the album is peace and togetherness. This is shown in the lyric, “I want to fly to Kyiv and go to Moscow.” In this line, Joost references the Russo-Ukrainian War and expresses a wish for peace instead of conflict. Rather than choosing sides, he focuses on the idea that people across the world should come together through music and understanding. The phrase “united by music” represents this message throughout the album.

The emotions behind Unity become even more meaningful when looking at Joost’s personal experiences. During the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, Joost performed his song Europapa. Many fans believed he had a strong chance of winning, but he was later disqualified because of accusations of assault that were later believed by many fans to be false. After the controversy, Joost struggled emotionally and reportedly fell into a depression where he no longer wanted to create music. However, instead of giving up completely, he returned the following year with Unity, turning his emotions into art.

One lyric that stands out says, “I am in Germany but I am so alone, I am in Italy but still I feel pain, I’m running from myself, calling for help all day long.” This line shows that even while traveling the world and performing in front of crowds, he still feels isolated and emotionally hurt. On the outside he may appear successful and happy, but the lyrics reveal someone silently asking for help.

My favorite song from the album is Filthydog (Schweinhund). In the song, Joost is performing at a concert and entertaining people, but deep down he just wants to be home relaxing and using his phone. This contrast captures the message of the album perfectly. Every song makes listeners dance and feel excitement, yet the lyrics remind us that even people who seem happy can still struggle with sadness, loneliness, and depression.