Artist: The Just Joans
Title: Limpet
Format: Digital single
Cat#: Fika113SG2
Release date: 2nd December
Bandcamp
The Just Joans reveal their new single “Limpet” (out on 2nd December), taken from their forthcoming album Romantic Visions of Scotland (due out on 23 January 2026 via Fika). With a driving rhythm evoking Dexys Midnight Runners or an old Northern Soul record, the song talks about the wonderful messiness of life with a newborn from a woman’s perspective. Pairing shambling indie pop with witty observations on romantic pratfalls and everyday disappointments, the Just Joans’ signature sound stems from siblings songwriter David Pope and singer Katie Pope.
As David explains: “I wrote “Limpet” shortly after my son was born. I wanted to write something that captured the wonderful messiness of life with a newborn, but also touched upon some of the stuff that you miss out on (mainly getting drunk and snogging strangers). It also seemed to make sense to try and write the song from a female perspective, for whom the all consuming nature of the experience is altogether more oppressive.”
Usually opting for a more DIY approach to recording, Romantic Visions of Scotland is their first album to be recorded in a proper studio. They worked with The Delgados’ Paul Savage at Chem19 in Blantyre. As David explains he worked with Paul in the studio, “to give it a bit of a kitchen-sink Motown style production”. Funded by Creative Scotland, the recording allowed the band to bring in bass and cello arrangements, adding depth and a sheen of musical proficiency to their signature sound.
Originally inspired by a grandiose exhibition title spotted on Glasgow buses in 2019 for a show at the National Museum of Scotland called Wild and Majestic: Romantic Visions of Scotland, the new album arrives six years later as a collection of semi-autobiographical snapshots from the Central Belt of Scotland. Whilst some of the details have been exaggerated for comic (or tragic) effect, the songs are based on personal experience of mundane failings, bitter regrets and missed opportunities that make up an unremarkable life.
Recurring themes of nostalgia for a bygone era and the fear of being left behind by lovers, friends and peers run throughout the album. Musically and lyrically, the band channels Village Green-era Kinks, with nods to The Television Personalities, The Smiths and Dolly Mixture.
The Just Joans will be returning to a headline slot at The Winter Sprinter at London’s The Lexington in January, with an album launch show in Glasgow on 23 January and a show at Edinburgh’s The Wee Red Bar.
Live dates:
Jan 23: Mono, Glasgow
Jan 24: The Lexington, London, The Winter Sprinter
Jan 30: The Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh
About The Just Joans
The Just Joans were formed in Glasgow in 2005 by songwriter David Pope. Early demos were collected together and released as a loose concept album, Last Tango in Motherwell, in 2006. Chris Elkin joined on guitar and was followed shortly after by David’s younger sister, Katie, on vocals and Fraser Ford on bass. Over the years they have released EPs and albums on WeePOP! and Fika Recordings and have gained a cult following as Scottish pop miserabilists.
The current line-up consists of Katie Pope (vocals), David Pope (vocals, guitar), Chris Elkin (lead guitar), Fraser Ford (bass), Arion Xenos (keyboards) and Jason Sweeney (drums).
Press Quotes:
“They fit snugly into the scratchy, low budget Scottish indie tradition of The Delgados and Arab Strap… There’s mischief in this miserablism.” - Mojo 4*s
“Glasgow’s The Just Joans have documented the romantic pratfalls of a generation of indie kids with sardonic wit and a shambling musical style where Stephin Merrit lies down with The Vaselines.” - Uncut
“Funny and sad, it’s the kind of song that made Red House Painters, The Magnetic Fields and The Wedding Present’s early albums so easy to embrace; an unpretentious sharing of relatable gloom.” - Record Collector