Alfa Mist returns, giving us the first taste of his fifth album, Variables, with a double hit of two singles - '4th Feb (Stay Awake)' and 'BC'. "I've been focused on who I am in my music, but now I'm exploring where I am," Alfa Mist says. "I'm asking: how did I get here?". '4th Feb (Stay Awake)' keeps double bass high in the mix (played by Kaya Thomas-Dyke), allowing the track an organic and woody sound, whilst real drums played by Jasmine Kayser shuffle like footsteps in the sand. The keys feel like a massage for the ears, maybe even making the hairs on your arm stand on end as the twinkling high notes descend. A repeated group vocal asks, 'why is this all you know', responding to Alfa Mist's lines: 'Staying sober so I keep track of my lies', 'Laugh the trauma, laugh the trauma'. Peggy Nolan's cello comes in right at the end of the track, a magnificent layered part that contains darkness, hope and peace. We're very excited to hear more of Variables! For now, check out '4th Feb (Stay Awake)' and the video here. -Ellie Rose-Davies