‘Celestial Mirror,’ the new EP by Mia Joy, sees the Chicago-based musician move from one stage to the next, as she delves further into her explorations on identity, self expression, and the people who come in and out of her life. The first new music since 2021’s dreampop masterclass ‘Spirit Tamer,’ which saw her tour alongside the likes of Sharon Van Etten, Squirrel Flower, Triathlon and more, the EP showcases more of Joy’s trademark ethereal indie pop that envelops the listener in a shroud of gentle, personal hymns that are both intimate & warmly inviting.Joined by band members Michael Santana (lead guitar), Michael Mac (bass), and Jake Stolz (drums on “More Green”), the EP was recorded at Santana’s home as well as Bim Bom studios in Chicago, straight to tape and mostly in one take. You can hear the homespun touches across Celestial Mirror, from the barely-there subtle melancholy of intro “Alive” to quietly stirring lead single “More Green,” which explores intimacy in all its shapes and forms. “Fourth of July”’s delicate harmonies refract into vulnerable, enveloping lullaby. “Time is a teacher / so teach me how to love / without the fear of its cost,” Joy sings, a concise declaration of intent with the EP that gradually peels back the layers on what it means to open yourself up to love again. The subtle, gleaming instrumentals which make up the backbone of closer “That’s a Lie” tie the loose threads of the EP together, while acknowledging the necessity of human connection to develop into a fully-formed person. To Joy, that’s the beauty in endings: that they allow for newfound potential to take shape, a reminder that we’re never quite as alone as we think.