By Colin 
After captivating listeners with her critically acclaimed album Memory Girl in 2021, Natalie McCool bursts back onto the scene with ‘I Fantasise’, a radiant, retro-tinged pop single released on 4th June 2025. Evoking the golden era of euphoric summer hits, the track signals a bold new chapter for the Liverpudlian artist.
Taking cues from Bryan Adams’ ‘Summer of ’69’, Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Born in the USA’ and Don Henley’s ‘The Boys of Summer’, ‘I Fantasise’ layers nostalgia with infectious modern energy. Yet true to form, Natalie weaves her signature melodic flair and emotional depth into every bar. At once playful and pensive, the track paints the picture of a recurring summer spark that never quite becomes reality.
Nostalgia reimagined
“I wrote ‘I Fantasise’ about a summer crush that reignites every year but always stays just out of reach,” says Natalie. “It’s about the thrill of that connection, and the burning question that always remains: Is this summer going to be the one?”
In crafting the single, she set herself a fresh challenge: to fully produce, mix and record the track herself while opening her creative world to new voices. The result is not only one of her most expansive productions yet, but a seamless collaboration with rising alt-pop talent Ellysse Mason, who lends her vocals to the song’s bridge.
“I’ve known Ellysse for a long time. We’ve moved in similar circles in the Northern music scene,” Natalie shares. “Her voice has this perfect blend of retro charm and contemporary cool. I asked her to sing the bridge, and our voices just clicked. I couldn’t be more thrilled that she’s on this track.”
Building on a celebrated foundation
Memory Girl marked a milestone moment for Natalie McCool, winning praise across BBC Radio 1, BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio. Tastemakers from Wonderland, The Line of Best Fit, Record of the Day and When The Horn Blows celebrated her songwriting maturity and sonic vision. Pre-orders for the album’s vinyl pressing reached £3,000 in under two weeks, a clear sign of the deep connection she has built with her fans.
That relationship was strengthened further in 2022 with the release of the album’s title track, written in response to personal stories shared by her listeners. What began as a thank-you quickly became a defining moment, closing a heartfelt era and pointing toward something new.
Since then, Natalie has performed on some of the UK’s most iconic stages, including SXSW in Austin, Texas, a headline UK tour, and festival appearances at Kendal Calling and Deer Shed Festival. This summer, she returns to the stage with performances at Gorilla in Manchester on 25 May, The Cavern in Liverpool for BBC Introducing on 30 July, Kendal Calling on 3 August, and LakeFest in Herefordshire on 9 August.
A thrilling new chapter
‘I Fantasise’ is nothing short of a revelation. From its pulsing, bass-led groove to the way Natalie’s voice wraps around each melody with both yearning and fire, the song feels like an instant classic. Ellysse Mason’s guest vocal elevates the bridge with a shimmering emotional pull, and the two artists together sound like a duo you never knew you needed. The result is not just Natalie McCool’s best single to date – it might just be one of the best pop songs full stop.
If ‘Fortress’, ‘Devils’ or even ‘Black Sun’ marked the moment Natalie began carving out a space as one of the UK’s most compelling songwriters, then ‘I Fantasise’ is where she claims it outright. This track captures the electricity of longing and the magic of imagining more. The fact that she may only now be entering her prime is a thrilling thought. And if this is what lies ahead, the future of alt-pop looks brighter than ever.
We’ve spoken to Natalie McCool about her new single and her plans for the future – read our full Natalie McCool interview.
The best way to support Natalie McCool (and all artists that are on there) is to buy her music from Bandcamp. Natalie is one of the most exciting artists working in UK music today and she deserves everyone’s support. You can follow Natalie over on Instagram.