Malaika Shares Shimmering New Single ‘External Things’ and Announces Debut EP

London-based indie pop riser Malaika returns with her latest single ‘External Things’, while confirming details of her debut EP Dye My Hair Dark In The Summer, set for release on May 12.

Following previous cuts ‘Pretty Pretty Thing’ and ‘Real Deal’, the new track continues to define Malaika’s bright, emotionally candid pop sound—pairing polished, upbeat production with introspective lyricism. Co-produced with JMAC (Sadie Jean, Medium Build) and featuring drums from Freddy Sheed (Lewis Capaldi, The 1975, The Japanese House), ‘External Things’ dives into the lure of short-term comfort.

“‘External Things’ is about how sometimes it’s easier to choose a temporary fix when you’re feeling down,” Malaika explains. “But in the end it’s just temporary dopamine that eventually wears off.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Xs_LjCosQY

Blending breezy sonics with a sharper emotional edge, the single signals a confident step forward as Malaika shapes her emerging identity in the indie pop space to celebrate the EP release, she’ll headline London’s Folklore Hoxton on May 12, joined by rising artist Biba—marking a key milestone moment for one of the capital’s most promising new voices.

With each release, Malaika continues to refine a sound that feels both instantly accessible and quietly revealing—and Dye My Hair Dark In The Summer looks set to capture that balance in full.