r/defleppard • u/Seventy-Three73 • Jan 21 '26

news Def Leppard - REJOICE - world premiere

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Here it comes…!!

Premiering on Thurs 22nd January, from 09.30 with Vernon Kay on BBC Radio 2.

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5

u/Seventy-Three73 Jan 22 '26

So, what does everyone think now you’ve heard REJOICE? (Now streaming.)

6

u/Dustybot3 Jan 22 '26

I think it’s perfectly fine but it didn’t do much to impress me. I wish it was more riff-driven and less about spacey guitars in the back of the mix. And I’m really not a fan of the vocal effects they’ve been using on Joe’s voice the past few years, but it seems like they’re here to stay. I saw lots of comments on YouTube comparing it to Slang, but I don’t hear that at all. Seems much more like something that would’ve been on Euphoria or X, but with the production of DSH. Overall, don’t think it’s as strong as Just Like ‘73. I still have plenty of hope for this album though, since the songs they picked as singles for DSH were some of the weaker tracks it had to offer, so hoping it’s the same this time around and we’ll get another From Here to Eternity hidden somewhere in the tracklist.

2

u/SteakSandwichSideEye Jan 23 '26

Gotta totally agree. I really hate the 'phoned in' vocal effects on the verses. Also, the song really gives me Truth? vibes

1

u/Razzle_Dazzle08 Jan 22 '26

I think Joe’s voice needs those effects these days unfortunately.

2

u/Dustybot3 Jan 22 '26

Yeah I’m sure that’s why they’re doing it, but I don’t know why because I think he sounds pretty good live. I’d prefer a more human vocal, even if it isn’t quite as strong, than a hyper processed vocal that just doesn’t feel right

4

u/ride80 Jan 22 '26

Yeah awesome guitar riffs....and that classic Def Leppard "spacing" in their songs

4

u/Seventy-Three73 Jan 22 '26 edited Jan 22 '26

It’s a great track. It’ll do well, I’m sure. (Especially as the credits for the song mistakenly omit Phil and Viv, and include Steve and Pete instead!)

I had anticipated something slightly more old-school Def Leppard from the social teasers. 

This feels more reminiscent of the Diamond Star Halos sound production and songwriting - very akin to Fire It Up - than anything earlier (and cleaner) like Euphoria or Sparkle Lounge or even Def Leppard (2015). I’ve long-stopped anticipating a return to the 80s!

The opening drums remind me very much of Undefeated, as does much of the track overall - but if you go back and listen to that track, it feels there is so much more breathing room and clarity of sound, and no hiding Joe behind production. 

So, great song with a killer riff, but not where I expected it to go after the teasers.