The Rhythm Junks – It Takes A While (2016)

Things get better everyday
Things get better almost everyday.

It Takes A While, the fourth studio album by Belgian band The Rhythm Junks, was released in 2016—three years after their previous studio effort. The title couldn’t be more fitting. The trio—Steven De Bruyn (vocals, harmonica, slide guitar, omnichord), Jasper Hautekiet (bass, vocals, keyboards), and Tony Gyselinck (drums, electronic percussion)—is known for its unique blend of styles and the unmistakable presence of the harmonica. They don’t rush things. Instead, they present an album shaped by time, experience, and a calm confidence that comes from knowing exactly who they are as a band.

Listening to this album feels like stepping into a space that’s both new and familiar. There’s no need for grand gestures or loud statements—It Takes A While convinces through subtlety. You hear a band that has played together, experimented, and only recorded when the music felt right. The result is a record that grooves gently and breathes deeply. It doesn’t demand your attention; it earns it.

There’s warmth and balance in every track. The album flows effortlessly between funky rhythms and introspective moments. The sound has matured. The Rhythm Junks are still unmistakably themselves, but their musical palette has become richer. Thanks to a range of guest musicians, the album sounds open and layered without losing its core. It’s not about showing off—it’s about feeling right. They’ve found the courage to ease off the gas.

And it works. It Takes A While is not a record for the impatient. It’s a slow burn—full of heart, care, and the quiet power of restraint. In a world that often moves too fast, this album reminds us that taking your time can be an act of trust. Trust in the music, in the listener, and in the journey that brought you here.

Tracklist

A1 Headphone City
A2 Calling Masala
A3 Why Would I Worry
A4 It Takes A While
A5 The Game Is Up
B1 How Long
B2 Hunters Of The Heart
B3 Shopping Again
B4 Trying To Listen
B5 Winter Bones

Vinyl Specs

Links

https://www.discogs.com/release/8289850-The-Rhythm-Junks-It-Takes-A-While

https://www.waxlog.com/collection/cave/artist-r/release/1826986725/the-rhythm-junks-it-takes-a-while