London alt pop duo Joel X Eleanor are releasing their new single entitled Edge of Victory on January 17, timed deliberately around Quitters Day, the time of year most have given up on their New Year's resolutions. The track aims to be the motivational song of 2026!
Edge of Victory is a bold, motivational anthem, encouraging listeners to keep going, to believe in themselves even when no one else will. It also explores the painful realisation that often the people closest to you will be the least supportive, despite being well-intentioned and wishing you to break a leg.
The song was recorded in Joel and Eleanor's living room, and in true DIY fashion, they also invited London Chorus soprano Jenny Freeborn to record an exuberant cackle at the start of the song, followed by emotionally uplifting harmonies in key moments (Have a little faith me/I'm on the edge of victory).
The grungy guitars and melodic synths support the harsh vocals delivering lines meant to accept that the pain of doing it all alone is just another obstacle that can be, and needs to be, overcome.
The song was mixed and mastered by Julie Bartley (Rolling Audio) in Newcastle. Julie was able to add that extra dynamic depth to the song that will make ears perk up and feet tap along firmly.
For the release, Joel and Eleanor have fully embraced their role as motivators, donning red Adidas tracksuits and leaning into the spirit of Rocky in their visual material, in a playful but earnest celebration of showing up and standing up for yourself (Ask the Zodiac/I will make it big).
Joel X Eleanor are on a mission to bring colour, drama and fun into a music landscape that has become obsessed with sounding bored, sad, dispirited. Coming from a world of concrete apartment blocks, mouldy windows and beige carpets, they stand in direct opposition to one-size-fits-all. They've been bullied for wearing matching T-shirts, sneered at for hoping for the best, dismissed for refusing to expect less. But making music is how they make their lives liveable, and they hope to reach others who feel the same.
Edge of Victory is both a mission statement and a rallying call to stay hopeful without toning down your true self.