17 Nov 2025
Candy
XO
WE SAY
Fresh from their instantly sold-out UK dates last month, rising girlband XO return with their punchy debut EP 'Fashionably Late', a six-track collection that traces the highs and chaos of a night out. Its focus track 'Candy' lands as a confident mission statement, pairing Timbaland-style production with ridiculously catchy vocal hooks. Imagine Gwen Stefani’s 'Hollaback Girl' meets Pussycat Dolls’ 'Don’t Cha', with a flash of Sugababes' attitude. Emmy, Reanna, Shali, Summer and Zoe fuse Y2K nostalgia with a playful and sharp contemporary edge, making 'Candy' ripe for TikTok takeover. XO’s early rise is gathering pace: they’ve drawn praise from Sunday Times Style, NME, OCC, Clash and DIY, made their TV debut on CBBC’s Saturday Mash Up, and earned support from BBC Introducing and Radio 1 Future Pop. Fan favourites 'Ponytail' and 'Lovesick' have only amplified their grassroots buzz, strengthened further by their recent Student Radio Awards performance. With a new headline tour on the horizon – including London’s O2 Academy Islington on 29 May – and Charli XCX appearing in their writing credits, XO are quickly stepping forward as one of the UK’s most compelling new girlband prospects.
CONTACTS
Label: Polydor Label Group
Marketing: Jamie Ahye & Ciara Mohamed, Polydor Label Group
Digital: Andrew Bunton, Universal Music Group
Socials: Beck Cooke, Glass Eight
Publishing: Colette Goodfellow, Universal Publishing
National Radio: Rosie Crocombe, Universal Music Group
Regional Radio: Gavin Hughes, Fanatic PR
Streaming: Tallulah Allen, Polydor Label Group
Press: Rob Chute & Jordan White, Universal Music Group
Regional Press: Warren Higgins,Chuff Media
TV: Naomi Gillies & Flossie Easthope, Universal Music Group
Live: Sol Parker & Suzie Melki, Wasserman
Management: Wayne Russell & Colin Barlow, Massive Management
Photo Credit: Alice Backham
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