Last year, Better Joy burst onto the scene with the superb ‘Hard To Love’. The debut single from the mind of Bria Keely provided an introspective look against a gritty, driven sound. Making immediate fans out of us. It was so good, it made its way onto our Best Singles of 2023, and even highlighted Better Joy as one to watch in 2024. Sorry for the unneeded pressure.
Now, Bria is back with ‘Dead Plants’. A song that changes perspective from its predecessor. This time looking out towards the partner of an established relationship. Where the initial spark has faded and all that’s left to shine is the unconditional love, and the difficulties that come with the idea that it is unconditional. No matter what. Even when they don’t rinse their cutlery.
Bria says, “’Dead Plants’ explores the complexities of love; when relationships are drying out and you don’t have a lot left to water them with. When they’re one-sided; when you’re at the end of your tether but the love is unconditional, so it’s both a nightmare and equally hard to let go; to accepting and understanding that someone won’t or can’t change. The love isn’t lost, it’s reinvented and re-shaped to cater to our own needs and boundaries.”
Where ‘Hard To Love’ came with a snap, ‘Dead Plants’ offers a darker sound. As if it’s battling realisation that the effort has become one-sided in this relationship. The guitars unwind for ages. Stretching out more of that throwback 90s sound for miles and miles, against drums that keep a driven momentum throughout. Bria’s vocals lead the way, delivering the simple but effective “I love you, but you make it hard to like you” hook that has become hard to remove from our heads.
It’s a great song that details the struggle that comes with the longevity of a relationship, and the phases of transition it goes through. Bria’s openness when it comes to the lyrics continues to make it easy to connect to, and she does in a way that’s accessible and catchy. Here’s hoping we hear more from Better Joy this year.