The Great Big Joy Machine by…The Great Big Joy Machine

When the Late Show with Stephen Colbert went off the air in mid-2026, the show’s band, Louis Cato and The Great Big Joy Machine, released their self-titled debut (and possibly farewell?) album.

This wonderful record manages to be both a love letter to Late Night TV and musicianship, untainted by all the controversy surrounding the reason for its’ release.

Recorded in its entirety at the Ed Sullivan Theater, it features all the favorite tracks from the show that, when listened to without distracting flashy visuals of a massive TV production, take on a life of their own: The arrangements are sophisticated and intricate, but still unpretentious and “earthy”. Very deeply human.

Sonically and stylistically the band lives comfortably between modern day Americana and Brecker Brothers-esque energy and sophistication, effortlessly fusing this breadth of styles into a unique sound of their own.

In a time when AI-generated nonsense is overrunning us all, The Great Big Joy Machine’s music is a feel-great reminder of our shared humanity and very warmly recommended. And if this wasn’t enough, all proceeds from the record go to MusiCares, the Recording Academy’s safety net program for professional musicians. 10/10.

Available on Vinyl, and all major streaming platforms.