Polish father–son duo Transgalactica has always approached music like an experiment, philosophy wrapped in progressive rock, with nods to psychology, history, and literature. Their new single, “Joyce Of The Market”, released on August 28, 2025, is no exception. But this time, it feels different. It’s more personal, more rooted in lived experience, and arguably the most direct storytelling they’ve ever released.
At its core, “Joyce Of The Market” is a tribute to Ireland’s transformation, from a country once synonymous with famine, poverty, and exile into one of Europe’s modern economic powers. What makes the track applaudable is how it draws a parallel with Poland’s own struggles, creating a dual narrative of resilience. The lyrics don’t shy away from history’s harsh realities: “Your cycle of life was suffering, endurance, destruction / And coffin ships sailing across the great sea.”
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Yet, the chorus turns that heaviness into something enduring and almost ironic, driving home the pun of the title: Joyce—once tormented—gets “hardened” into the joys of the market. That repetition is hypnotic. Even when the song stops playing, the refrain lingers, like a phrase you can’t shake.
The track is narrow but clever. The duo transforms two themes from the Irish national anthem from major to minor, bending patriotism into something more questioning, more bittersweet. For prog-rock fans, there are Easter eggs everywhere: a bow to Genesis’s “The Lamia” in the fifth passage, and a sly support to Deep Purple’s “Perfect Strangers” during the second stanza’s rock-driven section.
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Despite these references, it doesn’t feel derivative. Transgalactica fused them into their own tonal world, one that’s stripped back in rhythm (true to their minimal use of drums) but rich in harmonic detail. The laid-back pacing allows the lyrics to take focus, which is exactly where they belong in a song like this.
The track stands out as Transgalactica’s most personal work so far. Tomasz Bieroń, who has long been inspired by Steven Pinker’s ideas of progress, lets real life seep into this narrative. His connection to Ireland (family ties, a year spent in Dublin, even memories of watching Ken Doherty dominate snooker) gives the song a genuineness that balances its historical sweep.
The accompanying video reaffirms that storytelling, running through familiar imagery of Ireland and Poland—foreign oppression, exile, the Catholic Church’s grip, before ending on the brighter notes of liberation, freedom, and economic rebirth. It’s both stereotype and sincerity, but always delivered with intent.
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