Isla Rico Shine On Fizzing New Single 'Smell The Roses'

Emerging indie five-piece Isla Rico have announced their highly anticipated new single, Smell The Roses, out now via Regent Street Records. Arriving this Autumn, the track signals a bold new chapter for the band, blending 90s-inspired anthemic energy with heartfelt, modern storytelling to create an evocative yet irresistibly catchy indie sound.

Born out of late-night writing sessions in Brighton university flats, Isla Rico first took shape as the creative project of Callum Richards and Jasper Whitehead—two friends connected by their shared love of big stadium instrumentals, raw emotion, and the timeless spirit of 90s music. What began as a shared escape soon evolved into one of the UK’s most intriguing rising indie acts, gathering support across tastemaker press and national radio.

The band’s name comes from a tiki bar built in Callum’s back garden, a nod to the playful beginnings of a project that has since grown into a five-piece featuring Harvey Rafferty on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, Brad Hull on bass, and Sayon Beautfort-Harwood on drums. Together they have built a loyal following through electrifying live performances and emotionally driven songwriting. Their growing reputation has seen them take to major stages including Y Not Festival, Lazy Days, and The Great Escape, while outlets such as Earmilk and Clash Magazine have praised their sound. BBC Radio 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins described them as “the best of new indie Britpop.”

Following successful collaborations with producer Andy Gannon (Clean Bandit, Jax Jones, The Courteeners), Isla Rico now join forces with Matthew Fisher (The K’s, Dirty Blonde) to push their sound into a new era. The result is Smell The Roses—a soaring, reflective indie anthem built on shimmering guitars, driving rhythms, and a nostalgic melody that captures both resilience and release.

Speaking about the track, the band say: “For us, ‘Smell The Roses’ is a new beginning as a band. We wanted to be authentic to ourselves lyrically and instrumentally. Back to our roots, plugging our guitars in and 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.”

Drawing inspiration from The Verve, Sam Fender, and New Radicals, Isla Rico channel a mix of classic Britpop attitude and fresh, cinematic production. Their storytelling remains personal yet universal—music designed for anyone who’s ever needed a reminder to slow down, breathe, and take it all in.

After launching this new era with a sold-out show at YES in Manchester, Isla Rico are ready to release their most confident and compelling work to date. With Smell The Roses, they invite listeners to rediscover the simple joy of living in the moment—a message that resonates more deeply than ever.

Smell The Roses is out now via Regent Street Records.