London-based duo Joel X Eleanor return with their latest double single, “Garden Plot / Something Strange”, a release that captures two contrasting perspectives on love while continuing to define their distinctive creative partnership. The project further showcases their evolving artistry and the depth of their collaborative vision. This acts as the follow-up to their previous single, titled “Edge of Victory”.
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Emerging from London’s underground scene—where they built a following under the name Sweet Anna between 2022 and 2025—the married couple, Joel and Eleanor Habel-Townsend, have since evolved into a power alternative project that places their artistic synergy front and centre. With Joel overseeing production, writing, instrumentation, and recording, and Eleanor shaping the lyrical and emotional core through her vocals, the duo have developed a collaborative process rooted in precision and intention, where each creative choice serves a clear purpose.
At the heart of the release are two tracks that explore different emotional dimensions of romance. “Garden Plot” begins with an ostensibly tender concept, inspired by a gesture that reimagines traditional gift-giving into something lasting and symbolic. However, that initial warmth is gradually reframed into a more complex, intense portrayal of devotion, in which domestic imagery takes on a deeper, more obsessive meaning. The track also incorporates a subtle nod to Eleanor’s heritage, referencing a line from one of Attila József’s poems, translated as: “Bite me, bite me – or I’ll bite you!”
In contrast, “Something Strange” leans into a softer, more introspective tone, offering a more vulnerable shift in mood. The track reflects on the adjustment that comes with sharing your space and daily life with someone for the first time, including those most personal moments usually kept to the bedroom, as it traces the subtle transition from independence to companionship and two lives beginning to merge. With a progressive haunting energy, this stands out for its genuineness and engaging sound.
Together, the two songs highlight Joel X Eleanor’s ability to balance weight and vulnerability, pairing expansive, guitar-led arrangements with clear and expressive vocals. Mixed and mastered by Julie Bartley at Rolling Audio in Newcastle, the double single further showcases their ability to shape intricate compositions into something both powerful and accessible. Drawing inspiration from acts such as Radiohead, Muse, The Smashing Pumpkins, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, as well as London’s modern jazz movement, the duo continue to refine a sound that feels both dramatic and intimate.
The accompanying music videos for “Garden Plot” and “Something Strange”, the former directed by Piyushi Dubey (Mothrot Archived) and the latter directed by Joel Habel-Townsend, add visual layers to each track. Both complement the songs’ atmospheres while keeping the focus firmly on the music itself.
With “Garden Plot / Something Strange”, Joel X Eleanor further cement their artistic identity, delivering a dual narrative that explores love in all its complexity—from devotion and intensity to vulnerability and quiet connection. Fans can experience the new tracks live at HMV Canterbury on June 6 and at the Spectrum Festival in Matlock on September 12.
“Garden Plot / Something Strange”, by Joel X Eleanor, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms. Don’t forget to watch them perform live at HMV and the Spectrum Festival.
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