I first saw the post-Britpop grunge band CIEL back when they were getting set to perform at Bristol Fest Ritual Union earlier in 2023, but sweating to shoot off to some other act scheduled at the same time I managed to capture one over-exposed photo before I missed their set. The reason I am admitting my own ignorance is it became my biggest regret after listening to their opening upbeat industrial wallflower single ‘Somebody’ when it was first released in April 2023.

This is the follow-up to their 2022 EP, Not In The Sun, Nor In The Dark, and I have to say I feel as though CIEL have found their niche and hasn’t trailed far from it. It’s a very short (just shy of 10-minute) listening experience but a sweet 4-track project which solidifies the Brighton-based trio as a rising rocky-bedroom experimentation, which would get you sweating and ears ringing in an underground grassroots bar.

After reading frontwoman Michelle Hindriks in conversation with Upset Magazine it became clear the band have used this EP to improvise and grow as a unit, which I find very admirable and authentic from a group of self-confessed introverts.

“We purposely didn’t listen or overly worked on our demos prior to the recording of the EP, which made us take some brutal decisions whilst in the studio. Completely new vocal lines and lyrics for choruses were written in the moment, as well as guitar, bass and drum parts while tracking in the studio (there’s a lot of first takes!).” 

Make It Better enraptures you from the start and just about transports you to the world of CIEL only to lock the doors just as you’re about to ask if you can come in. If it could only have been that little bit longer! But hey, unless you are Prince, it’s always better to leave them wanting more than giving them too much.