London-based alternative-electronic artist Harlequiin is back with a bold new single, ‘Bite Back’, featuring the sultry vocals of Atiye Imani. The track fuses hyperpop’s kinetic energy with alternative electronic textures, building on the adventurous spirit of Harlequiin’s early-2025 debut album Even As She Spoke, She Began To Lose Her Form, while introducing a fresh R&B flair through Imani’s captivating performance.
A mesmeric blend of tuned vocals, skittering garage-inspired drum patterns, and pulsing synths, ‘Bite Back’ crafts a colourful, danceable soundscape. Atiye Imani’s breathy, intoxicating vocals float effortlessly above the inventive production, creating a track that feels both club-ready and experimental.
Speaking about the collaboration, Rory Simmons—Harlequiin’s brainchild—explains: “I wrote ‘Bite Back’ with Ati—off the back of an AG Cook type beat. We wanted to make something that felt clubby and sexy, but also had some of the irreverence of a Charli XCX track.”
Simmons, a seasoned London-based producer, multi-instrumentalist, and renowned session and touring musician, has worked with a roster of acclaimed artists including Jamie Cullum, The Maccabees, Blur, Raye, Paolo Nutini, Mount Kimbie, Labrinth, Friendly Fires, and Dermot Kennedy. He has performed at world-famous venues such as Glastonbury, Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and the Montreux Jazz Festival.
Under the Harlequiin moniker, Simmons has already attracted critical acclaim for his inventive approach to electronic music. His previous releases have received support from BBC Radio 6 Music, Soho Radio, Reprezent, and Radio X, as well as glowing praise across the music press.
A versatile and accomplished musician, Simmons has toured extensively as a trumpet player and also composes for film, television, and contemporary classical projects. His diverse experiences highlight his ability to traverse genres, blending improvisation, innovation, and bold electronic experimentation into a singular artistic voice.
With ‘Bite Back’, Harlequiin demonstrates once again why he is considered one of the UK’s most inventive and boundary-pushing musical talents.
Listen below:
