Ottawa indie pop duo Wotts is back with “Better Days”, a shimmering, slow-burning anthem of longing and light that landed on May 23, 2025. The track, serving as the second single from their upcoming EP FLANK!, might just be their most emotionally rich release to date—offering both a sonic balm and a gentle reminder that brighter moments still lie ahead, even if they feel far away.
Fusing nostalgic textures with forward-thinking production, “Better Days” is where vintage charm meets modern melancholy. The song opens with warm, lo-fi piano chords that act like a late-night heartbeat, soft and steady, anchoring the listener in a hazy, reflective world. But as the track unfolds, it blooms into something lush and vibrant—layered with sun-soaked guitars, dreamy synth washes, and drums that snap like the last firework of summer.
There’s an unmistakable Tame Impala-meets-Gorillaz energy running through this track, but Wotts—made up of vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Jayem and bassist/guitarist Ricky 100—never gets lost in their influences. Instead, they distill those inspirations into something that feels uniquely their own: a soundscape where introspection dances with groove, and sadness sparkles under a disco ball of hope.
“This one really came out of me processing some bad stuff that happened last summer,” says Jayem, who also produced the track. “I wanted it to feel like a soundtrack to a summer night when stuff feels a bit heavy and all you can do is hope for the best.” That ethos is baked into every note of “Better Days”. It doesn’t force resolution—it just sits with the ache, lets it breathe, and then gently points toward the horizon.
The emotional architecture of the track hinges on the piano, which acts as the song’s quiet compass. “We love our guitars and synths, but sometimes a piano is the only thing that can get the right emotion across,” says Ricky 100. That sentiment rings true—“Better Days” doesn’t chase drama or try to manufacture catharsis. It’s understated and open-hearted, more interested in honesty than spectacle.
But that doesn’t mean it’s sonically shy. Wotts brings a full spectrum of texture to this track—crispy drums that feel lifted from a lost vinyl, synths that shimmer like reflections on a lake at dusk, and guitars that bend and melt into each other. The production feels like an emotional topography: peaks of optimism, valleys of vulnerability, and a horizon line that refuses to fade.
FLANK!, the upcoming EP, is shaping up to be a milestone moment for Wotts. Described as a conceptual journey through various shades of loss, it doesn’t shy away from sadness—but it also doesn’t wallow. “The record is definitely sad in places, but we never wanted it to feel too heavy,” says Jayem. “We hide some songs under a happy face, not to fool people—I think that just speaks to sometimes having to pretend you’re happy for the sake of others.”
And that’s the real magic of “Better Days”: it’s a song that knows pretending and hoping aren’t the same thing. It doesn’t sugarcoat the pain, but it also doesn’t let it define the story. There’s a quiet resilience humming beneath the track, a belief that even when you feel stuck in the dark, the possibility of something better is still worth holding onto.
With performances under their belt at RBC Bluesfest, Canadian Music Week, and Junofest, Wotts continues to prove they’re not just a band—they’re storytellers, mood architects, and emotion translators. “Better Days” isn’t just a song—it’s a feeling. One you’ll want to carry with you, especially when the night feels long and your heart could use a little light.
