The Joy Formidable unveiled the video for “The Better Me”, the third single from their highly-anticipated new album AAARTH. Set for release on September 28 via Hassle Records, the album has received critical acclaim from the BBC’s Radio 1, who dropped the exclusive audio of “The Better Me” on Tuesday, as well as Consequence of Sound and Billboard, who recently dubbed the record, “art that is both evocative and earnest.” The band wrapped a tour with the Foo Fighters last night and will continue to tour throughout North America this fall (full dates below).
Following recent singles Dance of The Lotus and The Wrong Side, “The Better Me” is an inventive and emotive rally cry. Lead singer and guitarist Ritzy Bryan explains, “‘The Better Me’ is a song about self-acceptance, living with your mistakes and appreciating how we all make up the whole and have something different to offer. A song of thanks to a loved one and a decision to love oneself.”
Produced by by Boston-based creative studio TRLLM, the video was filmed in Las Vegas’ deserted backstreets during golden hour; the perfect setting to capture the bittersweet themes within the lyrics, like simultaneous loneliness and hopefulness.
TRLLM commented, “We knew we wanted to do something simple & centered around Ritzy’s performance because it’s a very personal song. There’s also this natural defiance in walking forward, pushing forward through these deserted streets in a lonely corner of Las Vegas.”
AAARTH is available on a myriad of formats, including digital, CD, vinyl, and an extremely limited box set available exclusively through The Joy Formidable’s AAA Music Club, a unique annual subscription that offers fan bonus items and access to 10 extra tracks. The album is available for pre-order today.
Track Listing:
Y Bluen Eira
The Wrong Side
Go Loving
Cicada (Land on Your Back)
All in All
What For
The Better Me
Absence
Dance of the Lotus
You Can’t Give Me
Caught on a Breeze
North American Tour Dates:
Oct 16 – Tustin, CA – Marty’s on Newport
Oct 17 – San Diego, CA – Casbah
Oct 19 – Los Angeles, CA – Lodge Room
Oct 21 – Pioneertown, CA – Pappy and Harriet’s
Oct 21 – Fresno, CA – Strummers
Oct 23 – San Francisco, CA – The Independent
Oct 26 – Portland, OR – Doug Fir Lounge
Oct 27 – Vancouver, BC – Fox Cabaret
Oct 28 – Seattle, WA – Neumos
Oct 31 – Denver, CO – Globe Hall
Nov 1 – Kansas City, MO – Record Bar
Nov 2 – St. Paul, MN – Turf Club
Nov 3 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
Nov 4 – Toronto, ON – Horseshoe Tavern
Nov 6 – Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair
Nov 7 – Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts
Nov 8 – Buffalo, NY – Rec Room
Nov 9 – Brooklyn, NY – Music Hall of Williamsburg
Nov 10 – Washington, DC – Black Cat
