Following a sold-out intimate first look at her new album at Rough Trade in Bristol earlier this month, Elles Bailey has released new single ‘Better Days’. The track is the latest to be taken from her new album Can’t Take My Story Away, which comes January 16th on Cooking Vinyl and Outlaw Music
A moving tribute to Elles’ late friend, Matt Long, the soulful, blues driven track was written by Matt before he sadly passed away:
“‘Better Days’ carries such a beautiful truth, that hope is never far away. Singing it feels like a privilege, and a way to celebrate the life and music of my late friend,” Elles says of the track. “We emerged onto the UK blues scene around the same time, crossing paths at festivals and on tour. It kinda felt like we were climbing this wild musical ladder together and then he got diagnosed with cancer. When he passed, his parents showed me ‘Better Days’ and I recorded a version with my dear friends The Cinelli Brothers as part of the Tribute Album to Matt ‘With A Little Help From My Friends.’ I loved the song so much I wanted it to be a part of this album story too – so I recorded another version when we were tracking for this record.”
Produced by Luke Potashnick and recorded with a stellar lineup of musicians separate from her live band, the eleven tracks of Can’t Take My Story Away tie together to form the album Elles has been destined to make. An honest and vulnerable glimpse into Elles’ story, the record was created over a three year period, using songs whose origins can be traced back almost 10 years, Can’t Take My Story Away is Elles’ life placed carefully together to form a dazzling, kaleidoscopic story.
While this album marks a departure from Elles’ previous work and was recorded with new musicians, her long-standing touring band will return for all the live performances. They will head out on a run of UK and EU dates through February and March 2026 to support the record.
Elles will also celebrate the release of the album with a run of stripped back, acoustic in stores through January. More info at: ellesbailey.com
