London five-piece pencil have released their new single ‘Wingman’, out today. The track marks the first release since the addition of guitarist and vocalist Soph Nathan, known for her work with The Big Moon and Our Girl.
‘Wingman’ arrives as a moment of transition for the band. It was recorded with producer Polly Mackey (Art School Girlfriend) and mixed by Luciano Rossi (mui zyu), featuring performances from both outgoing guitarist Cai Burns and Nathan – a fitting handover between two eras of pencil’s line-up. “Wingman is a song about endings, beginnings and the spaces in between,” the group said in a statement.
The single follows Bohemian Clutter, a six-track EP released earlier this year that drew praise from outlets including The Independent, DIY, The Line of Best Fit, So Young, and BBC 6 Music. Pencil’s growing reputation has been built on their live presence, with standout sets at Green Man and The Great Escape, and a recent run supporting The Japanese House.
‘Wingman’ captures the band at a moment of renewal, pairing Kamran Khan’s reflective vocals and acoustic guitar with Coco Inman’s violin and the band’s layered rhythm section. It’s a song that moves between introspection and release, signalling a new phase in pencil’s sound – one that keeps their melodic instincts intact while introducing sharper textures and a wider palette.
Clash Magazine previously described pencil as “part of a fresh wave of energy in the city’s music scene… bold, uncompromising artistry,” and the new track backs up that claim. With Nathan joining the fold, the group’s chemistry feels set for another evolution.
Pencil are Kamran Khan (vocals, acoustic guitar), Soph Nathan (electric guitar, vocals), Coco Inman (violin), Dom Potts (bass) and Thomas Fiquet (drums). They will headline The Lexington in London on 19th November, joined by LOLA and Art School Girlfriend (DJ).
Editors’ Picks
- Bohemian Clutter
- Kamran Khan
- London Bands
- New music
- Our Girl
- Pencil
- Soph Nathan
- State51
- The Big Moon
- Wingman
