Manchester band IST IST are gearing up for the next stage of their evolution with the fantastic ‘Obligations’. It’s a driving, punchy tune defined and pushed forward by that blend of pulsating bass and intense beats. The throb of synths and memorably vocal lines add a new layer of musical intrigue to proceedings. It is accompanied by a thought-provoking video made by long-term collaborator Oliver Marson. “With ‘Obligations’, I wanted to capture the feeling of being bound to someone who represents both your salvation and your undoing. It’s about how love can feel like duty — something you can’t walk away from even when it hurts,” explains vocalist Adam Houghton. “I wanted to explore memory as something that both comforts and strangles, showing how the past can shape who we become.” The quartet are readying their fifth album, DAGGER, for release on February 6th, 2026. -Dan Peeke