Ultimately, Joyride endures because it lives up to its name. It is a giddy, thrilling, and occasionally heartbreaking ride through the landscape of early-90s pop rock. It is an album that understands that true joy is not a placid, gentle feeling but something loud, messy, and slightly out of control. As the title track’s frantic outro fades, you are left with the unmistakable feeling that you have just been taken for a spin by two of the most charismatic drivers in pop history. And you are already ready to go again.
While Look Sharp! might have the reputation, Joyride has the soul. It is the album where Roxette stopped trying to conquer America (they already had) and started having fun with the chaos. It is imperfect, occasionally weird, but always, always melodic. roxette album joyride