XO have as we speak shared ‘Actual Buddies’, which is out now on Polydor Label Group. This follows sizzling on the heels of acclaimed debut single ‘Lovesick’, which launched the UK’s important new girlband forward of rather more to comply with this yr.
‘Actual Buddies’ is a swaggering and empowered electro-pop anthem that champions those that will at all times be by your aspect. Written by GRAMMY and Brit award-winning celebrity Charli xcx, Sabrina Carpenter collaborator John Ryan and Sweden’s legendary Mattias Larsson, XO’s personal first co-write offers this affirmation a down-to-earth, distinctly British twist. “We’re not fairly Hollywood Hills but,” presents Zoe. “I’m positively on the double decker bus.”
The self-confessed “most chaotic girlband you’ve ever wager in your life”, XO are force-of-nature five-piece Emmy, Reanna, Shali, Summer time and Zoe. In sound and spirit they evoke that traditional lineage of world-class British teams, however with a up to date and cutting-edge twist: assume the unstoppable UK power of Spice Ladies as raised on the worldwide pop-girls (Tate McRae), plus that new wave of all-choreo and all-conquering acts like Katseye. But XO try for one thing extra imperfect and unapologetic of their firebrand of Pop – a totally Gen Z imaginative and prescient of Lady Energy.
‘Actual Buddies’ is testomony, too, to the rising XO world and all who enter it. Having solely fashioned in autumn 2024, the band draw on their particular person variations – members hail from Essex, London, Liverpool, Derbyshire and Hong Kong – as a lot because the values (and vocals) that bind them collectively. It’s all there within the title XO, itself. All the time eager to keep away from the ‘ladies’ or ‘babes’ route – “everyone seems to be aware of being included, and may current how they need to”, states Shali – the band rapidly shoot down the concept of it that means something as cute as “hugs and kisses. XO is an power for us, like an aura.”
On simply their second launch the XO phrase is spreading, with ‘Lovesick’ touchdown early assist throughout Radio 1, BBC Introducing, and their first ever TV efficiency on Saturday Mashup! (the place they carried out their DIY fan-fave, ‘Ponytail’). The band are incomes their stripes up and down the nation on an adventurous schools-tour, rapidly amassing an ardent viewers with their bangers and their message. Requested what their hopes are for this primary chapter, XO’s solutions are as suitably distinctive to every woman as they’re shared by ‘Actual Buddies’ “To set the tone,” says Summer time, eager to remain within the second. Zoe, nevertheless, merely states: “World Domination.” You actually wouldn’t put it previous XO, the following, finest British girlband we’ve all been ready for.
