better joy returns with new single “carnival”. The project of Manchester’s Bria Keely has become one of our favourites since it began. Releasing a solid string of singles over the past year that satisfied all the guitar and relatability needs we have. “carnival” is the latest and offers more of this, and also comes with an announcement of a debut album. heading into blue will be ours in March, but for now, we can enjoy this new song.
Stripping back the energy and guitars heard on “situations”, “carnival” focuses on the melodies instead. A charming lead guitar moves us through easy-going rhythms as Bria marvels at optimistic people and the idea of becoming the same. Sometimes its nice to be half-full, but it really can be a half-empty kinda day, too. It means the single is light, catchy and filled with the lyricism that has made better joy’s songs so easy to connect with.
While a slight diversion from what we’ve heard on the initial singles, this feels like an assured, brilliant way to welcome us into the heading into blue world. “carnival” is a wonderful song, one that will soundtrack a lot of these autumn months. Better joy continues to deliver the goods, and we cannot wait to hear more news from the upcoming album.