Introducing Manchester’s Better Joy and their debut single ‘Hard To Love’. Released earlier this month on indie label Fader Amp, this new project fronted by Bria Keely offers a fresh slice of pop music that reignites a spark in these winter months.
What began as a series of demos written by Bria in university has turned into a trio that wears their influences on their sleeves. With the likes of The Cure, The Jesus & Mary Chain and Phoebe Bridgers on the list, ‘Hard To Love’ features something for everybody to enjoy. Cool vocals deliver details of the endless struggle of self-acceptance as well as the appreciation of somebody who does all that for you. This is brought against a tight instrumental that moves at its own pace. Not too fast. Not too slow, but just right to really dig deep in the ears. Goldilocks would be a fan.
“It’s an appreciation song to that person who puts up with you and takes you for who you are, the good and bad. Love is messy – and so are people.”
While lyrically it challenges the messy topic of self-love, ‘Hard To Love’ has all the tools to make you make the straight forward decision to fall in love with it. It is simple but it utilises that simplicity to become very catchy. You cannot not enjoy the jangle in those guitars. This is a bright, colourful start from Better Joy and I am excited to hear where they go from here.