Why Songer’s New Single “ALIVE” Feels Like a Reset Button

Songer the Reading-born rapper has slowly but steadily been on the rise the last few years stacking up awards, mixing genres and creating a fusion, while turning lyrics and beats into moments that mean something. Now, fresh off the back of “THE PRICE OF THERAPY” an album blurring the lines between introspection and impact, he’s proving the come up isn’t a phase but rather a blueprint.

Let’s talk receipts. Two charting singles since the album dropped. Two Glastonbury sets. A support slot with Dizzee Rascal in Australia no less. A collab with Aitch that felt like two generations of UK rap shaking hands which to me is a move that was both poetic and somewhat historic. A performance inside the Victoria and Albert Museum. Impressive right, because that’s the kind of space rappers rarely get let into. On top of all these, Songer casually has: 2 gold and 3 silver records sitting under his belt. Not bad for someone who still feels like he’s only just warming up.

Songer from what I have found seem dis-interested in staying in one lane. He likes to explore multiple lanes, not limiting himself to one sound or style. His new single “ALIVE” is a full-throttle pivot, and the kind of risk you take when you’re confident in your craft. Swapping slick beats for gritty guitar riffs, it’s a nod to the era of the noughties bands that he was raised in and a reflection of his diverse skillset. Rap? Sure! Grime? Done! Guitar-led throwback banger? Yes!

“ALIVE” doesn’t just switch things up—it sounds like freedom. There’s something refreshing about the way each lyric in “ALIVE” bounce off the beat. Songer doesn’t posture or pander. He doesn’t over-style the message. He just says what he means and means what he says. Whether he’s reflecting on mental health, bouncing off UK rap royalty, or making a mosh pit cry, he delivers it all with that calm self-assurance that comes from actually having something to say.

Songer keeps releasing new music showing that people are clearly listening to his release and I am one of those people. 2025 is shaping up to be another record-breaking year in terms of music. Main stage at Reading and Leeds? Locked. Truck Festival headliner? Secured. His biggest headline tour to date? Already selling out. It’s the kind of momentum that isn’t manufactured but rather earned.

What sets Songer apart isn’t just his talent (though that’s obvious). It’s the way he reflects the cultural moment and stands apart from it. In an industry where overproduction and trend-chasing are the norm, Songer feels like someone who got here by staying true to his sound and not falling into the trap of making trendy TikTok music.

Like other Uk Rappers such as Skepta, Lil Simz, Loyle Carner and Dave, Songer is part of a bigger shift. A wave of UK artists rewriting what it means to be free to explore other genre, being emotionally fluent, and commercially successful without losing the underground grit.

So yeah, if you’ve somehow missed him up to this point, consider this your nudge, because while other artists chase the charts, Songer’s out here changing them. One banger, one freestyle, one bar, one unpredictable and unforgettable move at a time.

Listen to Songer’s new single Alive

Read more Music articles from KLATMAG

Written by Shalom Fred-Jatto

Photography by Harvey Ryan