By Colin 
Hen Hoose Collective return this summer with their exuberant new single ‘Wipe Out’, released on 29th July 2025. An uplifting ode to optimism in uncertain times, the track is the first taste of their upcoming full-length album, written and recorded during a collective retreat at Black Bay Recording Studios on the Isle of Lewis. That album is due in 2026, but this early glimpse sets the tone with its radiant energy and collaborative spirit.
Built on playful rhythms, bright melodies and a glowing sense of camaraderie, ‘Wipe Out’ encapsulates the joy of creative connection. While it sounds light and sun-drenched on the surface, the song’s undercurrent is one of resilience. It reflects a refusal to surrender to the weight of the world outside. It is this balance that makes it both catchy and meaningful.
A creative breakthrough at Black Bay
The track features a standout ensemble: Hen Hoose founder Tamara Schlesinger (MALKA) on lead vocals, Ray Aggs on violin, and Inge Thomson, who adds distinctive flair with the use of a Nagoya Harp, borrowed from the studio and heard clearly in the intro. Produced, mixed and mastered by Susan Bear, ‘Wipe Out’ is a showcase of the collective’s signature sound. It is vibrant, genre-crossing and full of joy without feeling forced or overworked.
Inge describes the track as a deliberate act of defiance against pessimism. “It’s all too easy to get swept up and sucked under,” she explains. “Creating this song gifted us the opportunity to exist in a happy, optimistic space. We were evoking childlike freedom, playful rhythms and the bliss of affinity.”
Tamara echoes that sentiment, recalling how the writing process flowed naturally. “This song was so much fun to write. It fell together so quickly, with everyone working as one unit with a shared vision. I just loved every second of it.”
A beacon for equality and collaboration
Hen Hoose was formed in 2020 as a response to gender inequality in the music industry. Since then, the collective of women and non-binary artists has grown into a vibrant creative force across the UK and Europe. Its members include award-winning artists and producers with credits spanning Hollywood films, Netflix series, theatre productions and global advertising campaigns.
Their 2024 release Hen Hoose – EP 3 highlighted the diversity and strength of their roster. Their 2021 debut album Equaliser was written remotely during lockdown and received a Scottish Album of the Year Award nomination. Support from Creative Scotland, the National Lottery, the John Lennon Foundation and PRS for Music has enabled the group to offer mentoring, songwriting camps and production training to underrepresented voices across the country.
Review
‘Wipe Out’ is a joy from the very first note. With its shimmering textures and free-flowing arrangement, the track captures the moment where personal freedom meets collective energy. The result is a sound that feels both spontaneous and carefully layered. Tamara’s lead vocal carries a warmth that feels welcoming, while Ray’s violin and Inge’s harp add character and colour. The percussion skips along with a gentle urgency, making the song feel both relaxed and driven.
What truly elevates ‘Wipe Out’ is its emotional clarity. There is no pretence here. The track does not mask its joy behind irony or artifice. Instead, it embraces it fully. That directness is refreshing, especially in a musical landscape where sincerity often hides behind stylised production. Here, the openness feels earned. The listener is invited not just to hear the music but to share in the moment that created it.
There is a rare chemistry at play in this track. Every element serves the song rather than itself. From the Nagoya Harp to the effortless vocal harmonies, it feels like the product of deep trust and shared intention. It is a reminder of the strength that comes from collective creativity, particularly when that creativity is given the freedom to breathe.
‘Wipe Out’ says that joy matters. That collaboration matters. That even in a complicated world, we can still create something beautiful together. It is one of Hen Hoose’s most compelling releases to date.