What happens when the person you thought you knew turns out to be someone completely different? That's one of the questions Emmanuelle June explores in her new single, Better Bad Than Bitter, released today alongside its official music video. The Stockholm-raised artist reflects on the aftermath of deception and the moment when an illusion finally disappears, leaving us to confront not only the other person but also the version of ourselves that believed in them.
The idea behind the song first came to June several years ago, although it wasn't until 2026 that it found its final form. Working with Swedish production duo The AfterHours, she developed the track into a dark pop release, later mastered by Mike Hillier at London's Metropolis Studios. Written by June herself, the single introduces a new chapter in her musical project, with further releases already planned.
The music video takes things in a more theatrical direction. Co-directed by June and Michael Schempp, who also handled the cinematography, and edited by the artist, it brings together influences from Rainer Werner Fassbinder's cinema, Salvador Dalí's surrealism and the world of James Bond. The figure of the clown plays a central role, representing the ability to recover from humiliation and defeat, an idea that connects directly with the song's message.
June's interest in performance is hardly surprising considering her background. Before moving into music, she worked as an actress in several Off-Broadway productions, later relocating to Los Angeles, where she became involved in the local music scene. Her experience performing in post-punk and psychedelic rock bands, alongside her work as a filmmaker and writer, helps explain why visual storytelling remains an important part of her creative process.
With Better Bad Than Bitter, June brings these different interests into the same project, using music and performance to explore the uncomfortable experience of starting over. It's an interesting introduction to what comes next, without pretending that heartbreak always leads to easy answers.
