Just Mustard『WE WERE JUST HERE』Cross Review

Last Updated on 2025-12-17 by a-indie

Music knows no borders. That’s why the different perspectives that emerge when people raised in different cultures listen to the same album are so fascinating.

This time, we’re reviewing the latest release from Ireland’s Just Mustard, 『WE WERE JUST HERE』, whose Japan visit at rockin’on sonic has been confirmed.

Argentina-based RAM, who loves Japanese culture, and Japan-based music writer Yuuki Takita provide an in-depth review of this work.

This album, which carefully fuses shoegaze and electronica, has the power to captivate listeners’ hearts with a single listen.

Crystal-clear vocals, noise-wrapped symphonies, and the roots each writer envisions.

What common ground did these two writers reach? The fourth installment of our cross-border cross-review series is now published here.

We also plan to publish our interview with Just Mustard at a later date.

Just Mustard『WE WERE JUST HERE』Cross Review

Reviewers: RAM, Yuuki Takita　Editor: yabori (Tomohiro Yabe)

From RAM’s Perspective

The time has come for the publication of the fourth instance of this series of cross-reviews, which we have been writing with Takita-san. For this opportunity, Takita-san proposed the idea of writing about the latest release by the Irish band ‘Just Mustard’, ‘WE WERE JUST HERE’. Personally, I did not know about this group prior to this project. But it took me no more than a single listen to get completely hooked by their musical proposal.

Electronic, Shoegaze, Dance, and Industrial Music

On ‘WE WERE JUST HERE’, we are presented with ten tracks which exist on an abstract and dreamlike soundscape, one which is crafted by taking influences from many genres. There are aspects of this album which can be easily associated with electronic, shoegaze, dance and industrial music.

It is easy for very distant influences to end up clashing against each other, but on this project, the band manages to put them together in such a careful way that they not only work but complement each other. The album as a whole feels extremely well put together and also flows very naturally.

Crystal-like Transparent Vocals

On the album, the vocals take a slightly distant role, blending with the instrumentals. Katie Ball takes the lead vocal with her bright, crystal-like timbre, which adds plenty to the dreamlike sensation of the production. This is, at times, accompanied by David Noonan, who answers Katie Ball’s voice with his low register, generating a fantastic duo between the two.

Insecurity, Nostalgia, and the Passage of Time

‘WE WERE JUST HERE’ speaks abstractly over themes of insecurity, nostalgia, and the passage of time. The usage of natural imagery can hardly be overlooked, as it feels like the natural path any mind takes as it wanders for answers to questions of the heart in those parts of the world that appear wiser than us. As the green grass, flowers and skies seem to have a perception of time and nature which escapes our understanding, flowing freely through lifetimes with time to learn, to fail, to heal and try again. The perfect combination to help anyone with a heart in need of repair.

My Bloody Valentine, Aphex Twin, and Gilla Band

As I listened to ‘WE WERE JUST HERE’, I kept calling back to a bunch of artists. To mention some: ‘My Bloody Valentine’, ‘Aphex Twin’ and ‘Gilla Band’. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Just Mustard is also from Ireland and has taken influences from these musicians. Regardless of time, Ireland seems to always have great bands coming out. With ‘WE WERE JUST HERE’, Just Mustard extends their already established presence on this canon of artists who have proudly raised their hands to the question of where Ireland stands regarding music.