Mike Williams and Oaks Channel Raw Emotion Into Festival Anthem "Better Now"

There's a special kind of magic that happens when a studio session transcends the usual professional rhythm and becomes something genuinely cathartic. For Mike Williams and Oaks, "Better Now"—their new single dropping January 30, 2026 via Be Yourself Music—was born from exactly that kind of moment. Created during a writing session in Stockholm with songwriter Max Adrian, the track represents one of those rare creative alignments where the energy, the conversation, and the music all locked in at once. The Dutch producer has been teasing it relentlessly in his live sets, most notably at his sold-out ADE event "Storylines," where early plays sparked the kind of crowd reaction that makes DJs instantly know they've got something special.

"This track was born during one of the best writing sessions I've ever had," Mike Williams explains. "Everything just clicked - the energy, the conversations, the songwriting. We've made a lot of music together, but this one felt different from the start. I've teased it in my sets for a long time, and people went absolutely crazy every time, both live and online. That's why this track means so much to me."

For Oaks, the song carries even deeper weight. "'Better Now' was written with Mike during a time when everything felt emotionally heavy for me," they share. "We let the song sit in the discomfort - the weight of loving someone you can't fix and the quiet strength it takes to finally walk away. Performing it acoustically at ADE was a truly special moment, and I'm so happy to finally share this one with the world." That emotional core—the idea of loving someone you can't save, and the bittersweet relief that comes with finally letting go—gives "Better Now" a narrative depth that transcends typical festival fare.

What makes the track compelling is how it manages to exist in two spaces at once: intimate enough to resonate on a personal level, yet anthemic enough to unite thousands of people on a festival field. Mike Williams has always had a gift for blending heartfelt songwriting with his signature melodic sound, but here the balance feels particularly refined. The track doesn't shy away from the hurt; instead, it transforms it into something uplifting, a reminder that sometimes moving forward is the strongest thing you can do.

With "Better Now," Mike Williams and Oaks have crafted something that feels both timely and timeless. It's a snapshot of a specific emotional moment, but it's also a reminder that the most powerful music often comes from the most vulnerable places. And judging by the crowd reactions we've already seen, they're not the only ones who needed to hear it.

Listen to "Better Now":