Leeds based alt-pop duo Lucky Iris are back with the infectious and vibrant new single ‘universal’, the title track from the band’s upcoming 4 track EP ‘something to believe in’.
Following the buzz around the EP’s first single with support from DIY, DORK, BBC Radio 1, Radio X, DMY, Earmilk, Notion and subsequent live interview on Sky News, ‘universal’ offers another striking example of the duo’s infectious synth-pop tendencies.
Blending soft melodic vocals with hyper-pop inspired synths, ‘universal’ captures the essence of what Lucky Iris are all about – making music to dance or cry to. Tight danceable synths and punching beats creates a bubbling electronic soundscape for Maeve’s soft lead vocals which glide with a sense of honest emotion. Delivering radiant earworm melodies and an explosive, hyper-pop-come-edm infused backdrop comparable to more recent Charli XCX releases, the single is delectably commercial whilst retaining a rich sense of alternative authenticity.
Lead vocalist Maeve explains: “‘universal’ is about watching the world fall apart and wondering whether you’re the only one who can see it. Am I an empath? Or am I just human? Am I overly emotional? Or is everyone else feeling the same way? Is everyone just far better at hiding it?
The issue is it’s really hard to know the answer. So instead I’ll take an online quiz to work out if I’m… going insane… decided by which kitchen and desert choice I think is most “me”. But, maybe it really is just me. I hope no one else feels this way. I hope it’s just me. Because it doesn’t feel good. But I have a feeling it might not be.””
Mixed by Richard Wilkinson (Adele, Amy Winehouse, and Kaiser Chiefs) and mastered by Antony Ryan (Oh Wonder, Hannah Diamond, and Sugababes), the track is another glittering addition to the duo’s upcoming new EP.
Having burst onto the scene since their formation in 2020, Lucky Iris have had an array of breakthrough moments including the recent sync on Love Island. Alongside a whole host of national radio play from the likes of BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, Radio X, Amazing Radio (including live interviews) and BBC Introducing as well as editorial playlist on both Spotify, Apple and Amazon Music, the band have gained national press support from the likes of DIY, Dork, Earmilk, DMY, Notion, Hot Press, God Is In The TV, Louder Than War, 1883, RTE, Punk News, God Is In The TV, Far Out, The Line of Best Fit and The Forty Five, as well as also featuring on Tottenham Hotspur Website, the square ball (the official Leeds United Mag) and even appearing live on national TV.
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No strangers to playing live, the duo have also played a number of high profile shows including The Great Escape 2023, Live At Leeds 2023, 110 Above, Longdivision and supported the likes of Hannah Diamond, Jessica Winter, Future Utopia, The Lottery Winners, Real Lies, Stealing Sheep, Lucy Tun, Deco, Phoebe Hall, VC Pines to name just a few. With ‘something to believe in’ and the promise of more new music on the horizon, Lucky Iris continues to defy expectations and cement their status as one of the most exciting acts to emerge in recent years.
