In a world that often feels chaotic, every now and then a song comes along that reminds us of the beauty in simplicity, in togetherness, and in love. “Better With Us” is that kind of track—uplifting, intimate, and utterly joy-filled. In this interview, genre-blending singer-songwriter Jenna Louise opens up about the heart behind her newest single, the inspiration sparked by her real-life love story, and how a songwriting session with powerhouse duo The Dunwells turned a tender moment into a first-dance anthem. We sat down with Jenna to chat about the magic behind “Better With Us,” her fearless approach to genre, and why this release marks a meaningful turning point in her artistic journey. Spoiler: she’s just getting started.
“Better With Us” is such a heartfelt and uplifting track—what inspired you to write it, and how did that initial spark of emotion turn into a full song?
Yeah, this song really makes me happy. Not only because of how upbeat and joyful it is, but because of its meaning to me. The initial spark of the lyric ‘Everything Works Better With Us’ came from a moment of reflection, spending time with my partner and his children. In that moment, I felt at home, happy, at peace and totally safe. Taking a bunch of these feelings into the studio mix, in a little bit of vibing with the guys and adding the fun of The Dunwell effect, came a song made with the aim to be someone’s first dance at their wedding.
You mentioned the song was based on true moments happening in your life. Can you share a bit about the personal story or experience behind the lyrics?
I’m just totally in love. I’m in a very happy, fun and loving relationship, and the song ultimately tells everything about how I got to the end result. Real feelings plus Joe and Dave’s magic with the end game wanting to write the perfect ‘first dance’ anthem produced Better With Us, and I couldn’t be happier.
What was it like collaborating with Joe and Dave Dunwell on this track? How did their style influence the final sound?
Joe and Dave are just amazing. They are super talented and bring so much fun and spirit to their production. They champion you and keep you motivated whilst accepting all ideas and help guide you to making the song stick. They are so good at producing songs that are catchy – they definitely sprinkled their magic on my vision. ‘
The song has a beautiful, universal message—were you consciously writing with weddings and first dances in mind, or did that evolve naturally?
From the very beginning, my first words of the brief to Joe and Dave were ‘I want to write the perfect song for a first dance at a wedding’ I showed them the song that inspired my idea, and then we ran with it. I have already written a song I wanted to be used for walking down the aisle, so writing a song for a first dance was the next goal.
You’ve described your music as genre-fluid, blending pop, indie, rock, and beyond. How do you navigate that stylistic freedom while staying true to your sound?
I think my heartfelt lyrics, true storytelling and emotional tones are what keep my sound truly unique. Whether I’m singing soulfully to R&B or emotionally to piano or powerhousing a rock ballad, my lyrics remain true, my storytelling remains passionate, and my voice believes in everything I sing. I just don’t want to limit myself to a certain genre; I have the range to sing delicately and the power to smash ballads. I enjoy all genres so much that I like to experiment with my creative side, but keeping true to myself.
“Better With Us” is emotionally rich but also radio-friendly—how do you balance authenticity with accessibility in your songwriting?
I think keeping true to myself in my storytelling is always a must, but most of all, by doing this, my songs are relatable to all. Joe and Dave helped with the accessibility by helping me create a more catchy hook – an earworm.
You’ve drawn influence from a wide range of artists, from Ed Sheeran to Cher. How do those inspirations shape your identity as an artist?
I think the range of influences I’ve drawn inspiration from has shaped the reason why I’m so genre fluid. I’ve always been drawn to great storytellers like Ed Sheeran, Kelly Clarkson and Ella Henderson — that honesty really hits. Then you’ve got artists like Cher, Whitney Houston, Becky Hill, Jessie J, who are just iconic. They’re bold, fearless and constantly evolving. I think I sit somewhere in the middle. I write from the heart, but I’m not afraid to be a bit dramatic with it – that can be seen in some of my previous work. I like mixing the raw with the theatrical — keeping people on their toes.
This song feels like a turning point—it’s polished, powerful, and deeply personal. Do you see it as a defining moment in your career so far?
Absolutely. Don’t get me wrong, I’m so proud of my work so far – it’s literally been a journey. My album launch will always be one of the most defining moments of my career, as that was always a goal I set out to reach. It’s helped me experiment with all types of genres and helped me communicate feelings from some of the most painful times of my life. However, I think with any turning point in life, career, relationship, etc, comes from a change of mindset, different influences in life and of course, a loving relationship always helps bring them good vibes out into a fun-loving song. Music is demonstrating to me at my most vulnerable, so to bring something relatable, happy and emotional at once is definitely a turning point. The next song is even more emotional for personal reasons, but I’m keeping it upbeat because that’s just how I feel I want to create at the moment.
What do you hope listeners feel or experience when they hear “Better With Us” for the first time?
Happiness. Just pure joy and happiness. I want listeners to hear it and just relate to a time where they feel the depth of this song. I want people to feel hope that there will be a moment in life, whether it be a friendship or a relationship, where these feelings can become a reality. Ideally, I want to sing it at as many weddings as possible.
Looking ahead, can fans expect more collaborations like this, or is there a solo project on the horizon that continues this emotional storytelling?
Yes, yes and yes! I’m in the process of making the next song with Joe and Dave – watch this space. I can feel an album coming.
