Emerging indie five-piece Isla Rico are stepping boldly into a new chapter with the announcement of their fizzing upcoming single ‘Smell the Roses’, out November 7th via Regent Street Records. A triumphant blend of 90s Britpop swagger and modern emotional clarity, the track signals a polished yet heartfelt evolution for one of the UK’s most exciting rising guitar bands.
Born from late-night writing sessions in cramped Brighton university flats, Isla Rico began as the collaborative escape of Callum Richards and Jasper Whitehead – two friends bonded by a devotion to stadium-sized instrumentals, cathartic lyricism, and the enduring spirit of 90s alternative music. Their project soon expanded into a full-blown band, taking its name from a makeshift tiki bar in Richards’ back garden. Today, the lineup includes Harvey Rafferty (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), Brad Hull (bass), and Sayon Beautfort-Harwood (drums), rounding out a unit whose chemistry is central to their sound.
Across the past year, Isla Rico’s reputation has surged thanks to their electric live shows and refreshing authenticity. Festival appearances at Y Not Festival, Lazy Days, and The Great Escape have won them a loyal following, while tastemakers including BBC Radio 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins who hailed them as “the best of new indie Britpop”.
Following a run of successful collaborations with producer Andy Gannon (Clean Bandit, Jax Jones, The Courteeners), the band have now teamed up with Matthew Fisher (The K’s, Dirty Blonde) to kickstart their next era. The result is ‘Smell the Roses’: a soaring, cinematic indie anthem powered by shimmering guitar lines, driving rhythm work, and a chorus that captures both nostalgia and renewal.
“For us, ‘Smell the Roses’ is a new beginning,” the band say. “We wanted to be authentic to ourselves lyrically and instrumentally—back to our roots, plugging our guitars in, capturing how we sound live, and sharing our message no matter how sh*t the world can feel at times. Sometimes you’ve got to just find the joy where you can and smell the roses.”
Channelling influences from The Verve to Sam Fender and New Radicals, Isla Rico merge Britpop attitude with widescreen modern production. Their songwriting remains intimate yet universal, offering listeners a reminder to pause, breathe, and find stillness amid the noise.
Fresh off launching this new era to a sold-out crowd at YES, Manchester, the band enter autumn with their most confident statement yet. With ‘Smell the Roses’, Isla Rico invite fans old and new to reconnect with the moment—an invitation that feels timely, hopeful, and unmistakably theirs.
‘Smell the Roses’ will be available Autumn 2025 on all major streaming platforms via Regent Street Records.
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