After four years without a new album, Joyce Manor dropped an album titled “I Used to Go to This Bar” on January 30, 2026. Joyce Manor fits within the emo genre, blending elements of 90s-influenced punk in both their sound and lyrics. Their music is typically fast-paced, with most songs clocking in under two minutes.  

This album runs at just 19 minutes across nine tracks, continuing their tradition of short, punchy songs. The main themes revolve around aging and nostalgia. Capturing the feeling of finally growing up and moving on from the youth they once held onto. Throughout the record, the band reflects on loss, change, and life as it moves forward.

The intro track to this album is “I Know Where Mark Chen Lives.” In an interview, Barry Johnson -The lead singer- explains that “this song is inspired by him and his friend hanging out, laughing, and reminiscing about the club scene around them.” I really enjoyed this track. The angsty sound in his voice, combined with the rugged and crisp guitar and drums, gives it that raw, energetic feel and really sets the tone for the album.

The closing track  “Grey Guitar,” explores themes of loss and the attempts to move forward through distraction. With its catchy hooks and beautiful riffs, this song stands out as one of the best songs on the album. The balance between sadness and melancholy is handled brilliantly, making the track both emotionally heavy and musically captivating.

My favorite song on the album is “Well, Whatever it Was.” It has an upbeat feel despite its emotional, gorgeous minor chord progressions and “heavy” subject matter. The song focuses on the struggle of dealing with depression, whether caused by peers or through your own self-inflicted pressure.

Finally, my least favorite track is “Falling into It.” While the song centers on falling in love, it doesn’t offer much beyond that, and lyrically, it feels underdeveloped. At just over two minutes long, most of the track sounds like an extended intro. Until the final 40 seconds, the song feels muted, weak, and lacking excitement, making it the least engaging moment on the album. 

Overall, this album was strong; even the songs that were “lacking” were good, just not the best they could be. Anyone who is into emo music should definitely look into Joyce Manor.