Joe Butler just turned 19 this week, and instead of treating himself to some cake and a quiet one, he’s dropped a five-track EP that feels like it’s been cooked up by someone with double the life experience. Will It Matter Next Week?, released today (April 25th), is a genre-hopping, head-bopping ride that shows just how comfortable Joe is stretching boundaries. If you caught either his recent set at Whelan’s or at Tilt in the Button Factory, you’ll know exactly the kind of energy and range he’s bringing here.
The EP opens with ‘iknowthatyoudontknow’, a track that we’ve reviewed on this site already. This one is pure nonstop relentless feel good vibes. It may come in under 2 minutes but it’s packed with talent and clever lines.
‘Bad Words’ is up next and from the intro beat, reminiscent of Joe’s earlier track Pretty, to the rapid switches in flow and layered production, this one shows Joe’s crazy ability. Throughout this EP he’s essentially saying, “You know all these different genres you like? Watch me dip into each one and master them”. I’ve said it before but honestly he just makes this look so effortless. High-pitched vocals swirl in the background near the end of this track, driving the song forward to a close. Despite the experimentation in this one, it never loses its charm, it’s all intentional and tight.
Then comes ‘The Steps’, a 90-second gem built around a simple guitar rhythm that’ll have you nodding along before you realise it’s already over. It fits right in. There’s something low-key addictive about it, Joe’s flow is so natural, and the song manages to feel like both a breather and the start of something more.
That feeling of something more is track four, ‘Super awesome song’. The title is no lie, it’s just that, it’s an instant banger. The vibe is totally different on this song; it’s loud, confident, cheeky, and full of infectious energy. Joe has mentioned at his live shows and on socials that his dream is for this song to be featured in the new Shrek movie (make the man’s dream come true!). He leans into clever, tongue-in-cheek lines like, “I made a joke she didn’t think was very funny / I think she’d laugh if I was older and had money,” which land perfectly thanks to his delivery. Add in a ridiculously catchy hook, tight guitar riffs, and sharp beats, and it’s clear why this one stands out.
The EP closes with ‘Needed’, a smooth, slow-burning track that gives you those late-night Justin Bieberesc vibes, but with Joe’s own twists. It’s warm and emotionally open, letting his effortlessly smooth vocals shine through. The production starts simple but evolves in clever little ways, keeping you locked in. Lyrically, it captures a vulnerable side that can be seen in a lot of Joe’s tracks. “Maybe we’re just changing cause we’ve been trading places,” he sings, before following it with the beautifully quirky and real, “I think I’ve lost my brain / Can I swing by your place and pick it up?” It’s the kind of line that makes you pause, grin, and go, yep, been there. And that’s the beauty of this EP, each song is its own unique thing, its own moment that makes you recall your own experiences, but they also all come together seamlessly and that is not an easy thing to do.
Quick mention also for another track Hey (stay) that appeared on Joe’s SoundCloud but at the time of this writing hasn’t made its way to the Spotify version of the EP. This track shifts into quicker territory, faster tempo, faster delivery, and some nice added grit with layered production and a touch of vocal distortion. This one’s a head-bopper from the get-go, but underneath the beat is some quality song writing. The line “Hey, did you see the colour drain from my face? / When you told me you were walking away” and “I think I might send you a text saying ‘hey’ / You had me thinking it was real / Going out of my way” captures a sort of unforeseen spiral or chaotic moment. There’s a lot packed into this short track.
Will It Matter Next Week? is short, smart, and packed with personality. Joe Butler’s versatility is the headline here, yes he’s experimenting but saying that feels like doing him a disservice, he’s nailing it. From genre-mixing production to instantly quotable lyrics and confident delivery, this is a 19-year-old who already sounds like he’s been at this for countless years. Any one of these tracks could comfortably play on radio or sit on a playlist next to big-name releases and hold its own.
Joe’s definitely not just “one to watch”…he’s already here, and he’s got a lot more to say. As ‘Will It Matter Next Week?’ comes in at an 8.5 out of 10
Reviewer – Alan Robinson @alan_robinson_photography
EP artwork – credit Andy Asco @andy_asco