UK indie-pop ensemble Only The Poets are back, and on "Saké," they've delivered a song that sounds like a late-night drive through the city bathed in neon, intimate, hypnotic, and impossibly slick. The single is the first taste of their debut album, "And I'd Do It Again," due out on January 30, 2026, and showcases the band's skill in crafting a moody blend of dreamy alt-pop textures and the sultry pulse of R&B.
Martin Sjølie and Ed Drewett join frontman Tommy Longhurst in a songwriting trio that effortlessly weaves in and out of playfulness and allure. The production from DanDlion, Marcus Yates, Clem Cherry, and Martin Sjølie, who have worked with artists such as Sigrid, Aurora, BTS, and Years & Years, is characterized by smooth, bass-led grooves, moody synths, and unhurried beats. It has an end result of a song that drags you into its post-midnight aura, every note sounding deliberately seductive, but organically alive.
"Saké" is a slinky, seductive groove, a slow-burning welcome into the vibrant world Only The Poets are creating. The song's mesmerizing groove and rich layers show a group not afraid to stretch alt-pop's limits while remaining true to the honesty in intimacy. They cross-pollinate the sounds of dream pop and alt-pop, making it their own on "Saké," a track that will have you lost in a swaying rhythm, basking in the warmth and magnetism it exudes.
For Only The Poets, "Saké" is a real statement of intent, and one that perfectly encapsulates "And I'd Do It Again," a 14-track debut that establishes the Reading four-piece as one of the UK's most promising rising bands. Renowned for their electric live setup and confessional, unfiltered songwriting, Tommy Longhurst, Andy "Roo" Burge, Clem Cherry, and Marcus Yates' journey has been a free fall to the top, driven by relentless touring, grassroots connections, and a constant focus on their art. With "Saké", Only The Poets remind us why they're a band that can create music that is playful, hypnotic, yet deep in terms of songwriting and perfect for nights like this that feel endless, and moments that linger.
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