Emerging London art-rock outfit Cherry i have unveiled their gripping new single Arctic Sun while announcing details of their debut EP Yes, but I could never tell that lie, set for release on 17th July.
Cherry i
Produced by acclaimed producer Ali Chant — known for his work with artists including PJ Harvey, Yard Act and Soccer Mommy — the EP marks a significant moment for a band already generating serious momentum within London’s thriving underground scene.
Cherry i’s story is as compelling as their music. Formed in 2025 by vocalist and guitarist Nikol Kozin and guitarist Anastasiia Haman after relocating to the UK amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the group quickly evolved from an improvised creative outlet into one of the capital’s most talked-about new bands. Joined by bassist Slava Gudym and drummer Hugh Gordon, the quartet have become regular fixtures around the Windmill Brixton circuit, steadily building a loyal following through intense live performances and emotionally charged songwriting.
Their latest single Arctic Sun captures the band at their most atmospheric and emotionally raw yet. Built around brooding instrumentation, spectral guitar textures and urgent vocal delivery, the track explores emotional dependency and the search for connection amidst personal chaos.
Speaking about the song, Kozin explained that Arctic Sun centres on “looking for fulfilment in a romantic relationship without complications,” adding that the feeling itself can become addictive. The repeated lyric “after you, after you, I quit people” cuts to the emotional core of the track — equal parts longing, obsession and self-destruction.
The new EP promises to delve even deeper into themes of displacement, identity and survival. Previous single The Arsonist explored the psychological impact of war and migration, while Mistake examined the unstable realities of chasing success as an emerging band within today’s music industry.
Kozin also reflected on how the project first came together following Haman’s move to the UK. “I had orchestrated for Nastya to come live with me and my family for a bit,” he explained. “With her in an enclosed space and no other entertainment options, I tricked her into starting a band with me.”
That accidental beginning has since developed into one of the most exciting new acts bubbling beneath the surface of the UK alternative scene. Combining post-punk tension, art-rock experimentation and deeply personal storytelling, Cherry i are rapidly carving out a sound entirely their own.
With more new music already reportedly in progress and a growing reputation for incendiary live shows, Yes, but I could never tell that lie feels less like an introduction and more like the start of something much bigger.
UK Live Dates
JUNE
5th – Bath, The Bell
JULY
11th – London, Windmill Brixton
23rd – Brighton, Daltons
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