‘Second Look’ by Justine Beverley review

Having previously provided hit songs such as ‘Passenger Seat’ and the wonderful French Country sound of ‘On n’oublie pas’, Justine is releasing her latest track, ‘Second Look’ 3rd April 2026.

“Second Look” is a fierce country-rock single inspired by a disastrous date with a friend-of-a-friend, transforming mansplaining, condescension, and being undervalued into a female-empowering anthem about self-worth, confidence, and trusting your instincts.

Justine is joined on the song by the incredible Erin Ponsonby who provides backing vocals. Justine and Erin have struck up a wonderful friendship, both personally and professionally and it’s great to see the community ethos within the Country scene still going strong. Music is all about expression and sometimes the only way to maximise this expression is through collaboration with fellow artists supporting each other, not only in a support act role, but with collaboration in music making too.

“I walk in the bar and there you stand

Denim jacket matching your blue eyes

Nothing endearing about your confidence

You drink the cheapest lager you could find.”

Portraying a stereotypical date scene the song starts by describing walking into a bar, (well it wouldn’t be much of a Country song without some form of Honkytonk reference) and describing their first observations, from their outfit, eye colour and to their personality.

“You seem engrossed in what you’re saying

Making fun of how I’m speaking

My eyes scan the room for an escape

Searching for a familiar silhouette.”

Leaning into their self absorbency, the pre chorus references the date being more interested in themselves than us, how rude! Yet when they do pay attention it’s only to mock, humiliate and devalue , which are never any endearing qualities in a fellow human being. The song continues, detailing how uncomfortable it makes us, to the point of looking for a way out, or even a “familiar silhouette” to perhaps rescue them or make an excuse to leave. It could be said that whilst it may be a politer way of leaving the ‘date’ then surely honesty is best and to simply provide the feedback that they’re too self centred and that it’s not working.

“Cause I dressed up to the nines today

You didn’t even take a second look

And I don’t care what you’re gonna say

I guess you can take a second look

But I don’t think you know

And I don’t think you care.”

The chorus makes it clear who is making more of an effort, some might say it emulates life perfectly and not just isolated to the romance theme, yet life more broadly. Reference to the title is well integrated within the storyline and provides a moral lesson for us all, to sometimes give that second look, and make sure we appreciate, comprehend and value what’s in front of us. Whilst one character is dismissive based on dialect and vocabulary, the other has already cast their opinions “I don’t care what you’re gonna say” without allowing a right of response to explain themselves. Sometimes even with a second look, some still don’t fully appreciate what’s in front of them as they’re so narrow minded.

“Honestly it don’t matter you’re such a twat (haha)

Our paths won’t ever ever cross again

Two streets is just enough to create a gap

As long as we don’t ride on the same train.”

These lyrics speak of the raw emotion and feeling. A realisation of who they are based on the actions they’ve displayed, and most likely because of this you make the conscious decision to not go down this road again, simply you value yourself more than that and want to protect your own space. Whilst they detail distance and not wanting to see each other again, they’re very much aware that it’s possible, perhaps bumping into each other on public transport.

“You seem engrossed in what you’re saying

Making fun of how I’m speaking

My eyes scan the room for an escape

Searching for a familiar silhouette.”

The song returns to the pre chorus, perhaps showing the repetition of dating, yet equally could just be reliving the trauma of the previous failed date before embarking on the next one, or even contemplating whether to date again. I find it interesting use of “searching for a familiar silhouette” because sometimes our soul mate is already within our friendship circle.

The song returns to the chorus, again suggesting either moving forward to another date and that we’re all guilty of needing a second look, or it’s reliving the trauma of the earlier date and deciding whether to be able to trust another with your heart.

“You’re not the one I should be sitting with

Just a mere replacement for what should have been

You made me waste so much time

Thank God I’ve got plenty on my hands

You don’t even know your own mind

I never want to see your face again.”

The bridge demonstrates realisation, of both what we want and what we don’t. What we want because we recognise the one before us isn’t “the one” however they are a “mere replacement”; yet what we don’t want, time wasters, despite the follow up lyric referencing “Thank God I’ve got plenty on my hands.” Whilst these are counterposing perspectives, it should be contextualised by adding having plenty of time for the right person (or anyone who adds value to our lives). The lyric “you don’t even know your own mind” is perhaps suggestive of earlier courting, and not knowing a ‘type’, yet so too can be said in respect of professional ambition.

The song returns to the chorus, repeating twice to play out the song. This serves as a reminder that we’re always trying to give a good impression, particularly based on appearance, however in the day and age of AI this is perhaps a lesson to take a second look, and ask the right questions to get to know people and rekindle the in person experience.

The song is set to be released Friday 3rd April 2026 and pre saving is available now at http://fzmiz6wn.r.eu-west-2.awstrack.me/L0/justine-beverley.ffm.to%2Fsecondlook/1/010b019cc2329b09-714df16d-19f1-4904-8e46-b8c68422dcaa-000000/PVtmogP8NlG7cK-TMd1fvyJU2bc=253 to coincide with both C2C and Country on the Clyde. Keep an eye on Justine’s social pages for news of upcoming performances, festivals, as well as any new releases.