strongboi’s “be mine” envelops listeners in a haze of groovy retro-pop

On strongboi's latest single, "be mine", funky bass guitar meets soaring vocal harmonies while singer Alice Phoebe Lou doubles down on her vulnerable emotions. She feels a sense of pride in the person she’s with. “Be Mine?” she asks, amidst a warm haze of synthesizers. Complete with a psychedelic guitar and smooth drums, the track is as vibrant and sweet as the heart candy passed between lovers on Valentine's.

Equally minimal and gratifying, it’s awash in a distinct old-school sound and punchy pop melodies. Recorded on tape at Thump in NYC, the track has a retro ‘80s pop feel, much like the discography of sister eclectic indie group Tennis mixed with the tender heart of confessional songwriters like Kate Bollinger.

“be mine” is the first single to land from strongboi’s upcoming EP. Emerging out of Berlin between bandmates, and longtime friends, Alice Phoebe Lou and Ziv Yaman, the duo founded the band with a distinct lo-fi vision. Since their debut single in 2019, they have branched out into more upbeat and eclectic territories while sticking to those casio keyboard roots.

They released their debut self-titled album in 2023 and have since amassed millions of listeners thanks to their soft, feel-good pop sound. After winning the Anchor Award for best newcomer at the Reeperbahn Festival in September of 2024, strongboi is slated to keep doing what they do best: utilizing synthesizers and dreamy lyrics to craft sunny bedroom pop dreams.