Joyce Manor: I Used To Go To This Bar [Album Review]

Joyce Manor
I Used To Go To This Bar
Epitaph Records [2026]

“Twenty minutes, nine songs, hooks that stick — I Used To Go To This Bar gives long time fans something to sing along with!”

Album Overview: Formed in Torrance, California, Joyce Manor made their name the old fashioned way: short songs, faster sets, and sweaty house shows where everything felt like it might fall apart in the best way. The way it used to be “word of mouth” carried them further as each early record caught more attention. Barry Johnson, Chase Knobbe, and Matt Ebert have always trusted sharp songwriting over flash, and that no-frills mindset runs straight through I Used To Go To This Bar.

This record lives in memory. Getting older. Random nights that somehow stick. Cheap drinks and half-forgotten conversations at bars that weren’t special but still meant everything. Produced by Brett Gurewitz of Bad Religion, the sound feels fuller and a little stronger, but the band never loses their quick punch. It’s a clear snapshot of Joyce Manor right now: confident, locked in, and comfortable being exactly who they are.

Musical Style: Nothing fancy, and that’s the charm. Bright guitars, stand out bass, drums that never let the air out of the room. Nine songs cruise by in about twenty minutes, so every hook has to land fast. The mix gives everything space to breathe, and a few choruses flirt with radio-friendly territory without being too much for old time fans. It’s still lean punk, just with a slightly bigger frame.

Evolution of Sound: The early records felt loose and almost tossed together in the best way. This one sounds more deliberate. The pacing is steadier, the parts feel a little more purposeful, and the band knows exactly what works. Longtime fans will like this record, and any newcomers can easily jump on here.

Artists with Similar Fire: You can hear the quick-hit energy of AFI, the sticky hooks of Weezer and Jimmy Eat World, plus a little of the moody jangle that made The Smiths timeless. On the modern side, PUP, Jeff Rosenstock, and Cheekface share that same mix of humor, heart, and shout-along hooks.

Pivotal Tracks: “I Used To Go To This Bar” sets the tone with a plainspoken story about a forgettable hangout that somehow meant everything. “All My Friends Are So Depressed” rides a thick bass line and turns burnout into something you’ll end up yelling with your friends at 1 a.m with every bit of a Morrissey vibe. “Well, Whatever It Was” leans into a talk-sung delivery that gives it a loose, basement-show feel. “I Know Where Mark Chen Lives” kicks the door open from the beginning with jittery energy and a hook built for packed rooms. “Grey Guitar” closes on a heavier note, sitting with loss and uncertainty, while “Falling Into It” slows things down and blooms into a warm, wide chorus that lingers.

Lyrical Strength: Johnson sticks to everyday details most bands skip. Missed calls. Dumb habits. Old crushes. Stuff that sounds small until it isn’t. The language stays simple, which makes it hit harder. There’s dry humor tucked next to real regret, like laughing at yourself on the walk home. It feels lived in and honest, never dressed up.

Final Groove: I Used To Go To This Bar doesn’t try to rewrite Joyce Manor history, and that’s fine. It’s tight, catchy, and easy to throw on whenever you need twenty minutes of loud, familiar comfort. Not every track sticks, but enough hooks hang around to keep you coming back. It feels less like a big statement and more like something you expected from the band at this point. And honestly, that might be exactly what they’re going for because I Used To Go To This Bar is just one TikTok boost away from catching on with an entire new age group.

JOYCE MANOR REVIEW HISTORY
Never Hungover Again (2014)

JOYCE MANOR LINKS
Website | Instagram | Facebook | Bandcamp | Epitaph Records