Music: My First Time: Bristol’s Post-Punk Provocateurs and the Irreverent Burst of “Much Better”

My First Time are a rising four-piece alternative/post-punk band from Bristol, UK, formed by friends who met while studying in the city and quickly became known for their raw wit, thunderous hooks and incisive lyrical perspective. The group comprises Isaac Stroud-Allen on guitar and lead vocals, Jordanna Forsey on drums, James Mellen on guitar and vocals, and Naia (Niamh Jones) on bass and vocals. They’ve built momentum through a series of sharp, energetic singles that showcase a blend of post-punk attitude and pop sensibility, earning them recognition as one of the most exciting new acts in the UK scene.

Their single “Much Better”, released in April 2025 via Parlophone Records, typifies the band’s tongue-in-cheek, confrontational approach to songwriting. Rather than dwelling on introspection or earnest emotional exploration, the track playfully skewers modern obsessions with artistic purity and authenticity, and embraces a brash, almost satirical pursuit of fame and success. The lyrics reflect a self-aware irony — with lines that cheekily contrast clichés about artistic meaning with blunt ambitions like money and notoriety — and the music itself backs this up with punchy guitars, driving rhythm and an energetic delivery that feels both fun and pointed.

In professional terms, “Much Better” stands as a defining early single for My First Time, capturing their irreverent voice and post-punk-pop fusion while underlining their ability to comment sharply on cultural tropes with clever, catchy music.

Band Page: https://www.instagram.com/my1sttime/?hl=en

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvEbYHprl8o