Just a few days ago, Margate-based duo debdepan unveiled Habit, their latest single and the first glimpse into their forthcoming sophomore EP Lovers & Others, set for release on 26 November via Silent Kid Records. With its industrial grit, grunge textures, and flashes of 2000s indie sleaze, the track is a striking evolution that positions Chelsea and Grace as one of the UK’s most compelling new alternative acts.
Blending hushed, eerie vocals with hard-hitting instrumentation, Habit thrives on tension, moments of restraint collapsing into a cathartic push and pull of sound. At its core lies a devastating admission: “If being more enigmatic makes you happy, that is tragic.” Lyrically, the song delves into cycles of insecurity and the mental gymnastics of trying to win affection. “This song is about feeling like you’re not good enough for someone and having to play it cool to win their affection,” they explain. “We wanted it to feel quite repetitive to signify how my thoughts kept circling. ‘You talk for hours’ is actually about the thoughts in my own brain.”
The track was born from the aftermath of a breakup, later reshaped during their residency at Portugal’s Westway Lab alongside DJ and producer Phaser. What began as a melancholic sketch gained new life with a driving beat that sharpened its bittersweet edge. Recorded in Ramsgate with Mike Collins and finalised at London’s Strongroom Studios with James Minas, Habit marks a confident step into new sonic territory.
Since forming in 2022, debdepan has moved fast. Their debut EP, OMEN, established a dark pop signature, while breakout single Darkest Hour earned radio play across Europe and the U.S., breaking into the Deutsche Alternative Charts and securing a deal with Archangelo Music. Relocating to Margate, they’ve drawn on the town’s creative community and nightlife as inspiration for Lovers & Others, an EP that promises to balance “sad girl” introspection with late-night energy. Recent live shows with Cumgirl8, Miki Berenyi, and Pete Doherty have only strengthened their reputation, while upcoming UK and German dates signal a growing international reach.
