“I just wanna make it feel good,” Katie Ball declares on the title track of Just Mustard’s new album. This statement signifies a shift you might not associate with the Dundalk-based band—most of their past work has been enveloped in gloom and introspection, with industrial soundscapes clashing against aggressive guitar riffs, creating an air of unresolved discord. This gritty sound has characterized Just Mustard since their debut in 2018, a style that has carved out a unique space for them within contemporary guitar music. However, they are gradually shedding this aesthetic with their latest release, ‘WE WERE JUST HERE’.
For their third full-length album, Just Mustard approached the studio with a fresh sense of hope. Seeking to balance the darkness they expressed in ‘Heart Under’, they exchanged droning loops and guitar tones for a more melody-driven approach, drawing inspiration from uplifting physical spaces. The songs find themselves nestled in lively dance venues and amidst the dazzling chaos of amusement rides—environments where elation is almost unavoidable—rather than steeping into the depths of sorrow.
The outcome is a novel direction for Just Mustard. A vibrant compilation of tracks showcasing the band’s desire for liberation rather than withdrawal. Their signature somber elements are still present—Ball’s vocals convey a sense of longing, her optimism sometimes feeling forced, and moments of dissonance and unease persist—yet there’s an indication that Just Mustard is reaching for something a bit more radiant.
Before the release of ‘WE WERE JUST HERE’ on October 24th, we spoke with vocalist Katie Ball and guitarist David Noonan about the influences behind their newly colorful sound, the feelings of inauthenticity that can accompany a more optimistic writing style, and the life-affirming experience of performing and enjoying live music.
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Your new album retains elements of the band’s industrial sound and darkness, yet it also explores brighter themes. Did that evolution come naturally, or was it a deliberate choice?
Katie: Given how dark the last album was, we really wanted to create something more uplifting. It was definitely a conscious choice. After ‘Heart Under’, we wrote a couple of songs that leaned more towards that darkness, but as we continued writing, the songs started becoming brighter and more melodic. It just felt right to go in that direction.
David: Before we began writing, we discussed our desire for an album that was more vibrant, more colorful. It was perhaps a response to ‘Heart Under’, which had a more singular mood. During our songwriting, we aimed to amplify whatever mood each song conveyed rather than fixating on an overall tone. If a song leaned dark, we let it be dark. If it became bright, we embraced that too. This shift toward a more colorful palette felt more exciting for us.
How did this decision impact your writing and recording processes?
Katie: We focused more on melody rather than tone, prioritizing the songs themselves, ensuring they were solid before adding depth. Sometimes we’d reach a point with a song and realize something wasn’t quite right, leading us to completely strip it back and rebuild. Our emphasis was heavily on the song structure—melody, lyrics, and chords. In ‘Heart Under’, we often worked with a thirty-second loop, developing it into a full song. This time, however, we aimed to solidify the song first, avoiding getting too attached to particular tones. If something didn’t align with the vocals, we'd adapt that element instead of modifying the vocals. Previously, I would write the vocals more in relation to existing elements rather than starting with them.
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What musical inspirations did you draw from? Were there artists who also prioritized songwriting that influenced this record?
David: It was crucial for us to ensure each song was strong. As Katie mentioned, we often stripped the song down to just vocals and a chord shape. Even if the band didn't play those specific chords, we’d revert to that foundational element. This process often made us realize similarities to bands we admire. Occasionally, when reducing the songs, they would evoke a Nirvana vibe, but we weren’t intentionally trying to create Nirvana-esque tracks. By simplifying them, it became easier to reference traditional rock influences, which bolstered our confidence, validating that it could stand as an indie song—just chords and vocals—before returning to our usual methods.
Katie: In the past, we drew heavily from electronic influences. For this album, the focus was more on traditional rock. Nirvana was definitely an influence, as was ‘Disintegration’ by The Cure, which we listened to while on tour with them.
How was that experience?
Katie: It was amazing. Watching them perform night after night was truly rewarding.
Were there any non-musical influences that contributed to the brighter sound—specific places, experiences, or feelings?
Katie: I definitely considered places associated with joy as influences while writing. I wanted to contribute positive feelings to the world since I had expressed darker emotions before.
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"I only want it to feel good," Katie Ball's voice resonates on the title track of Just Mustard's latest album. It's a declaration of purpose you may not