After nearly a decade of silence, Paperwhite, the dreamy synth-pop duo by siblings Katie and Ben Marshall, have been steadily reclaiming their place in the indie-pop scene. Their latest single, ‘This Feeling’, is both a reminder of what made them a fan favorite and a signal that their sound has become even richer, deeper and – unbelievably – catchier.
For longtime fans, Paperwhite’s comeback has been somewhat of a slow-burn. The New York-based siblings first turned heads in the mid-2010s with their glossy, melodic synth-pop, catching attention from the industry giants such as Billboard, Vice, and Buzzfeed. Their earlier sound can only be described as 80s nostalgia with a futuristic polish – which earned them Hype Machine’s Most Blogged Artist award – twice.
After a several-year hiatus, Paperwhite made their comeback in late 2024, not with a bang, but with a soft wave of thoughtful and emotional singles that hinted at their refined sound. ‘This Feeling’ continues that development. It’s a bright, layered composition built on kaleidoscopic synths and a heartbeat-like rhythm that pulses through the whole body. Singer Katie’s vocals float above the noise, angelic but grounded, carrying the song’s introspective weight.
At its heart, ‘This Feeling’ is a take on uncertainty and the fragility that guides us through it. “We all have those moments where the world feels unrecognizable,” the duo shared in a statement. “But there’s something inside of us that tells us to keep moving forward.” That voice – soft but insistent – is the emotional backbone of the release. The upbeat instrumentals, combined with the meaningful lyrics, almost feel magical. At first listen, it’s an upbeat hype song, easy to sing along to – until the words really hit and take the audience on an introspective journey.
The single also serves as a preview of Paperwhite’s long-awaited EP Reach, due to release on the 27th of June. Featuring previously released singles like ‘By Your Side’ and ‘Unfold’, alongside two new unreleased tracks, the EP promises to explore themes of perseverance, self-discovery, and wonder, all through the duo’s signature blend of synth-driven atmosphere and heavy emotion.
With ‘This Feeling’, Paperwhite created the perfect spring anthem that is sure to get stuck in everyone’s heads – whether it’s for the beat or the lyrics.
Written by: Laura Finkler
Edited by: Nèri Cliteur
