Kicking Off with Lucky Iris: Exploring Their Favorite Football Anthems****Title: Kicking Off with Lucky Iris: Exploring Their Favorite Football Anthems**

Leeds-based alt-pop duo Lucky Iris, comprising Maeve and Jasper, are back with their infectious and vibrant new single "Something to Believe In," the title track from their upcoming four-track EP. Known for crafting bittersweet, electronic-edged soundscapes that blend soft melodic vocals with hyper-pop inspired synths, Lucky Iris compels audiences to both dance and cry within the same set. Their lyrics, often inspired by lessons learned in love and friendship, have been described as a "cotton-candy kick in the face."

Lucky Iris has garnered mass acclaim, with repeat plays from Nels Hylton on BBC Radio 1, John Kennedy on Radio X, and BBC Radio 6 Music. The new single, co-written and co-produced with Ben Matravers (PRS hitmaker), showcases the brilliant songwriting and soundscaping that have earned the band critical acclaim over the past few years.

Beyond their musical achievements, Lucky Iris are also big football fans, championed by Tottenham Hotspur and known for their pop-punk football anthem "Oh No." Their latest single "Something to Believe In" serves as an unofficial anthem ahead of England’s pursuit of the cup at this summer’s Euros. Lead vocalist Maeve explains, “When I’m going through a rough time, there are two things I consistently turn to: music and football. This track is our take on an anthem, an ode to the things we pour our heart into when we don’t feel like we can. For me, it’s football and pop music, so why not combine them both?"

Mixed by Richard Wilkinson (Adele, Amy Winehouse, Kaiser Chiefs) and mastered by Antony Ryan (Oh Wonder, Hannah Diamond, Sugababes), "Something to Believe In" combines distorted analogue synths and tight beats with Maeve’s gentle, expressive vocals to create an infectiously danceable track.

Since their formation in 2020, Lucky Iris has had numerous breakthrough moments, including a sync on Love Island UK Season 10 in 2023 and national radio play from BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, Radio X, Amazing Radio, and BBC Introducing. They have also played high-profile shows like The Great Escape 2023 and Live At Leeds 2023. With "Something to Believe In" and more new music on the horizon, Lucky Iris continues to cement their status as one of the most exciting acts to emerge in recent years.

In today's interview, we're excited to dive into Lucky Iris's passion for football and music, and explore their favorite football songs that inspire and motivate them both on and off the pitch.

‘something to believe in' / Lucky Iris 

I have two great loves, music and football. And I think there are many parallels that can be drawn between them both. But arguably the most important is the sense of community they both create. Being a fan can be a beautiful thing. The sense of belonging. The breaking down of barriers. And when times get tough being a fan can give you something to believe in… at least that’s my experience. So we wrote a song about it. 

‘Feet don’t fail me now’ / Joy Crookes 

She might be an Arsenal fan, but sadly a lot of the cool girls are… and not even her club of choice can take away from the beauty of this song. It’s giving summer, it’s giving hope, it’s giving passion, it’s giving I beg you don’t embarrass me… and it’s perfect for all your Richarlison styled baller edits.

‘World in Motion’ / New Order 

It’s just the one isn’t it? It’s hard to make a best songs inspired by football and not include this track. It really does stand the test of time. It’s fun, it’s silly, with the right level of sincere. John Barnes was the perfect feature. I wonder who would feature in our world cup song… I would have said Jack Grealish but…

‘Vincent Kompany’ / CMAT

This song might be the most unlikely to be chanted around a stadium… but written by CMAT and Declan McKenna, CMAT described how they spent a while searching for the perfect reference of an aspirational bald man… and they rightly landed on Kompany. Need I say more? 2024 is the year of the pop girlie, CMAT is cemented in my favourites, and any track that references both the Gilmore Girls and Vincent Kompany is going to be one after my heart. 

‘Thiago Silva’ / Dave, AJ Tracey 

With Glastonbury this weekend, it’s hard to think of a more quintessentially British festival moment than fan Alex getting on stage with Dave in 2019 on the Pyramid stage and reciting Thiago Silva kitted out in the PSG Silva shirt with a bucket hat and bum bag to boot. 

‘Glory Glory Tottenham Hotspur’ / the Adele in Vogue 73 Questions edit

I’m sorry, I had to include at least one spurs track. And whilst I could have included Robbie William’s singing ‘I’m loving Big Ange Instead’… I present to you, Spurs fan Adele singing ‘Glory Glory Tottenham Hotspur’ in her Vogue 73 Questions. If it was the early 2000’s you best believe I would have recorded this onto my answering machine. COYS. 

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