The new short-player follows last October's self-titled EP (featuring Danielle Haim). "Mercury" sees CuckooLander's sound gallop towards the horizon, with to-the-rafters choruses and thumping percussion from start to finish.

"Contrary to my previous releases, EP_02 has an a more maximalist and anthemic nature," Hardy explains. "I think this is because each song soundtracks a defining point in my life where the theme of release has been particularly significant. 'Lone Pine Drive' is a tune to the afterlife, it’s a song I wrote to commemorate my uncle's life and deal with loss... [and 'Mercury' is] about the power of the mind. I took inspiration from ancient Alchemy which says 'for Mercury is the spirit, sulfur is the soul, and salt is the body' - Paracelsus."

CuckooLander is supporting Tom Grennan on his UK tour this month, playing London's Shepherd's Bush Empire on 20 March. Find out more.

EP_02 is out 6 April via XCX's Vroom Vroom Recordings label.