Photo Credit: Jessy Keely
better joy may be a newcomer after launching in late-2023, but she’s already making a mark on the UK indie scene. Led by Bria Keely, who is backed by a band, better joy offer something completely different even from the first listen. Recently released EP at dusk proves this point, where you will find a great mix of stunning vocals alongside some very impressive guitar work.
This Part Of Town offers a bright start to at dusk, taking us on a journey through the city in what we can only hope is a bright sunny day, while Steamroller was one of the standouts when we saw better joy support Somebody’s Child a few weeks ago in Glasgow. The guitar melody that runs through this track, played by Darragh Burke, is special and works well alongside the atmospheric, powerful lyrics from Keely. Mike Hedges production is also a standout on Steamroller, as it is throughout the EP.
at dusk continues with Plugged In, which has a foot-tapping guitar riff and yet again more stunning vocals from Keely, as she sings: “Now listen now and listen loud/now you’re the one that plugs me in.” I’m There and Big Thief continue the 1990s inspired indie sound, while final song So Long concludes the EP in a laidback manner. The nineteen minutes is over far too quickly leaving us wanting more.
So, what’s next for better joy? The recent tour alongside Irish rockers Somebody’s Child, a string of headline shows, the upcoming Manchester arena show alongside Bastille and a UK/IE tour with Amy MacDonald sets them up nicely to end 2025 on a massive high, while 2026 sees better joy embark on a headline run in March.
When we first saw better joy live at Sound City in Liverpool earlier in the year we just knew that we were watching something special, and we predict that Keely and her band will be going on to even bigger things. We would love to see them release a full-length album next year and, when you have a producer such as Mike Hedges to work alongside, that could also open up a whole new world.
9/10
Standout Tracks: This Part Of Town, Steamroller, Plugged In
For Fans Of: Sunday (1994), Amy MacDonald, Cliffords
Written by: Alan Brown
