Album Review: You Can't Fight The Feeling by The Joker
Released in 1999 under Eat Me Records, You Can’t Fight The Feeling is a quintessential slice of late ‘90s hard house. Hailing from the US, The Joker delivers an album that pulsates with relentless beats and raw energy, capturing the essence of electronic music’s rebellious spirit. While it may not be perfect, its unapologetic intensity makes it memorable.
The opening track, “You Can’t Fight It,” sets the tone with pounding basslines and hypnotic synths. This isn’t just background music—it demands your attention. The Joker crafts a soundscape that feels both chaotic and controlled, like dancing on the edge of a storm. What sticks with you is how infectious it is; once those hooks dig in, they don’t let go. It’s one of those tracks where you find yourself nodding along even when you’re stuck in traffic or waiting for your coffee to brew.
Then there’s “Give It Up (X-tra Lrg Rmx),” which takes things up another notch. If the original was already brimming with attitude, this remix cranks it to eleven. The build-ups are sharp, almost teasing, before dropping into euphoric chaos. There’s something about the way the layers collide—synth stabs, vocal snippets, and driving percussion—that creates a sense of liberation. You can practically hear the neon lights flickering over a packed club floor. Tracks like these remind you why hard house was such a force during its heyday.
While “Let Yourself Go” offers more of the same high-octane vibe, the album doesn’t stray too far from its formula. Some might call it repetitive, but fans of the genre will appreciate its consistency. After all, hard house thrives on delivering pure, unfiltered adrenaline rather than reinventing the wheel.
Looking back at You Can’t Fight The Feeling, it’s clear why this album resonated with listeners at the time. It’s unpolished yet exhilarating—a snapshot of an era when dance music was less about perfection and more about losing yourself in the moment. And honestly? In today’s overly curated world of playlists and algorithms, we could use a little more of that messy magic.
Fun fact: listening to this album feels kind of like eating junk food—it’s not good for you, but dang if it doesn’t hit the spot every single time.
