Only Up

Only Up is the second album by producer and artist Josh Korody (Nailbiter, Beliefs). Enlisting performances from Tess Parks, Cadence Weapon, and an array of Toronto music scene members, including Orville Peck, Tallies, Vallens, Zoon, Sauna, Fake Palms, Rapport, Praises, Civic TV, Moon King, Blonde Elvis, For Jane, Ducks Ltd, TOPS, and Broken Social Scene, Only Up sees Korody channeling three decades of anthemic British bands. From the angular guitars of late 70s post-punk (Gang Of Four, Wire) to the lush gloom of 80s electro-pop (Tears for Fears, OMD) and the dance floor psychedelia of the Manchester sound (Primal Scream, Happy Mondays), Korody’s influences are diverse. Originally tasked with making this album, Korody and his long-time music collaborator Kyle Connolly (Orville Peck, The Seams) quickly threw down ideas in a session. However, with Connolly embarking on a world tour and Korody’s demanding schedule at his Candle Recording Studio, the project sat unattended. Somehow, by the album’s delivery deadline, Korody not only orchestrated a creative ensemble of friends and collaborators, but also wrote, recorded, and mixed the entire album in two weeks without any regrets or compromises. Korody reflects on the process, saying, “It was the best way I could have done it. A strict deadline to make decisions, move on, and focus on things that matter the most. Every decision was made in that headspace.” He also acknowledges the potential pitfalls of technology in music production, noting, “The ease of technology to endlessly tweak with… can sometimes destroy records until there is no soul in it, no happy accidents, and it’s completely sterile. You can have a well-produced record without going down that dark rabbit hole.”