Written by Millie Cairns
Photo by Belle Campling and Bo Colston
Leeds electro-pop duo Kiosk continue their rapid ascent with the release of double single ‘Heaven Sent / Sure Shot’, out 17th February via Leeds powerhouse, Private Regcords. Issued on limited 12” vinyl with physical-exclusive remixes from TURNSPIT, Bug Teeth and DJ Suburu, the release marks a decisive statement of intent from a band fast becoming one of the most compelling voices in the city’s flourishing DIY underground scene. Formed by Isabella Alcock and Rory ‘Maz’ Maslen, Kiosk fuse electronoise, darkwave and dream-pop into a sound that feels both immediate and otherworldly, driven by hypnotic drum machines, analogue synths and heavily processed bass.
Following last year’s debut ‘dogma’, these two tracks find the duo at their most direct and dynamic yet. ‘Heaven Sent’ pairs acid house propulsion with existential unease, while ‘Sure Shot’ spirals into improvised spoken word and frenetic techno, capturing both the raw urgency of their live performances and the emotional depth beneath their aloof exterior. It’s a release that positions Kiosk not only as heirs to the restless energy of PVA and Working Men’s Club, but as architects of a darker, more enigmatic electronic pop language of their own.
‘Heaven Sent’ wastes no time in making its impact, opening with a beat that thumps and punches from the outset, immediately locking the listener into its relentless momentum. Alcock’s vocals, cool and detached, carry shades of PVA’s Ella Harris, sitting slightly gothic against the shimmering electronic framework. There’s a tension between restraint and release: the repeated, elastic bassline from Maz holds the track tightly in its grasp, grounding it and allowing the more melodic chorus to bloom. That shift into melody adds crucial emotional depth, transforming the track from a pure dancefloor weapon into something more reflective and layered. Moments of minimalism, stripped back to vocals and an electric drum pulse, heighten the drama, before the track surges back into motion.
Lyrically, ‘Heaven Sent’ explores themes of loss, meaning, and existential unease, with lines such as “A temple of her persons / As objects turn to burdens” cutting through the haze with striking clarity. There’s a maturity here that marks a significant leap forward for Kiosk, with the duo sounding more assured, focused, and fully realised than in earlier releases. The track’s unpredictability, constantly shifting in texture and intensity, is anchored by an irresistibly catchy chorus.
‘Sure Shot’ veers further into techno territory, driven by a more frenetic, dance-led pulse and richly textured production. Alcock’s spoken-word delivery drifts across the beat in a dreamlike stream of consciousness, recalling the surreal, narrative-led approach of Mermaid Chunky – a fitting parallel given the pair’s recent shared stage. The track unfolds as a wandering internal monologue, inviting listeners to move through its hazy landscapes alongside her. References to the lost art of hitchhiking — “No one does that anymore” — introduce a sense of fearlessness and restless movement, reinforcing the track’s themes of freedom, uncertainty, and discovery.
Lines like “One road in / One road out” are more than just passing imagery; instead, Kiosk’s writing serves as a subtle metaphor for their own trajectory within the Leeds scene. As part of a thriving DIY network centred around Private Regcords, the duo feel like they’re carving out an entirely new path – not just for themselves, but for a growing wave of Leeds-based electronoise artists. Together, ‘Heaven Sent / Sure Shot’ captures a band in exhilarating transition, balancing emotional vulnerability with club-ready urgency and signalling a bold new chapter in Kiosk’s evolving sound.
With nationwide headline dates throughout February (including a debut London show at Brixton’s Windmill) and a limited vinyl pressing available exclusively at shows, ‘Heaven Sent / Sure Shot’ feels like a pivotal moment in Kiosk’s evolution. Restless, confrontational, and unexpectedly vulnerable, it distils the tension between euphoria and introspection that defines their sound. If this release is any indication, Kiosk aren’t just part of Leeds’ thriving underground – they’re actively reshaping it.
Upcoming shows:
18 FEB // Leeds, Wax Bar
20 FEB // Middlesbrough, Cafe Etch
21 FEB // Manchester, The Rat and Pigeon (supporting Another Country $$$$)
23 FEB // Nottingham, The Grove
26 FEB // London, The Windmill [headline]
28 FEB // Leeds, Hyde Park Book Club – Across The Border 2
7 MAR // Sheffield, Gut Level
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