Lucy Fitzgerald 
I recently listened to “Better Days” by Iyla Elise and came away feeling genuinely uplifted. The track opens with a modest groove—bass, guitar, and a steady rhythm that feels grounded—and then gradually blossoms into something quietly expansive. Elise’s voice sits at the center of the arrangement and carries the whole piece with calm conviction. Her delivery has warmth and emotional clarity without ever becoming overwrought.
The sonic palette here borrows from Americana, blues‑tinged folk, and a touch of rock, but it never sounds like a checklist of genres. Instead, it feels organic—guitars shifting subtly between clean and textured, the rhythm tightening at just the right moment, and the overall mix giving every instrument space to breathe. There’s an arc to the song: it builds patiently, allowing you to ease into it, yet by the end, you realise it has traveled a little distance.
Lyrically, the song touches on longing for something better, and perhaps more importantly, on the idea of movement—even when “forward” isn’t clean or straightforward. One review described it as a journey “where the distortion of modernity doesn’t swallow you whole but instead reflects the grace needed to keep walking.” That sentiment resonated with me: this is a song that acknowledges the imperfect path and still invites hope. Two lines of personal opinion: I found myself returning to it later in the day and noticing new little moments each time. And I believe this is one of those songs that rewards patience and attention.
If you haven’t yet encountered “Better Days,” I encourage you to give it a listen with fresh ears. Then go a step further: follow Iyla Elise on your preferred platform so you’ll hear what she does next. Add this track to your playlist—you’ll want to keep it there for those times when you’re looking for something genuine, quiet but moving, a soulful breath of optimism. And tell a friend: sharing songs like this makes them feel less solitary.
Listening to songs so you don’t have to! Just kidding :D, you totally should. Music blogger by day, nurse by night
