Not a debut, more like a coming-of-age story in chapters: Katie Drives turns ‘not belonging’ into a pop rock statement with a 2000s glimmer and real scratch marks. Between reality check and escape fantasy, she overturns facades – therapy, self-harm, derealisation don’t appear as drama, but as everyday patina. It sounds raw, but never sensationalist: vulnerable with attitude. Sound-wise: pop-punk thrust, dark pop tearjerker, R’n’B shimmer, hip-hop edge, a bit of metal grit – all cleanly routed, never genre tourism. Julian ‘Polar’ Huisel sticks the pieces together, but leaves the corners standing. Features by Lou (Pentastone), K3NDY and TIDAN expand the cast; sometimes fairy tales, sometimes mirror images, always ‘weird kids’ in the lead. Lyrically, the grey mouse grows into a figure of light without kitsch: hunger for the future, pride in the present, retro longing – a triad that works. And yes: two self-directed videos, seven visualisers, creator collabs, playlists, festival sweatshirts, first vinyl – that’s DIY ambition with industrial gloss. In short: not perfection pop, but heart on asphalt. For everyone who positions themselves next to the cool table and still writes hits. Katie stands here like the big sister in the pit: ‘You can do it. Your time will come.’

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