From breezy guitar licks to life-affirming hooks, KAWALA's effortless summer aesthetic is back and bigger than ever. Check out the latest cover story for our New Music Friday playlist edit, PLAY.

Words: Stephen Ackroyd.

If you need a reminder that good things come to those who wait, look no further than KAWALA. The affable North London five-piece have been patiently biding their time, taking a purposeful step back to recharge and realign after the whirlwind of releasing their debut album 'Better With You' and the chaotic gigathon that came crashing after. But now, the hibernation is over, and KAWALA are emerging revitalised, with a batch of invigorating new tunes and a confident modern sheen that has them primed to blaze brightly once again.

"We've, until recently, been in complete hibernation," admits vocalist/guitarist Dan McCarthy, who - just so everyone knows - happily answers to the moniker of "the short, curly-haired frontman."

"After the album and crazy back-to-back touring runs, we made the decision to step away from all the noise for a little while to properly focus on the next stage for us," he explains. "To hone what we wanted to sound like, to look like, and to be."

Making a comeback is always a nail-biter, right? What if everyone's forgotten who KAWALA are? "We were super nervous coming back and decided to re-warm up our fanbase by doing some rehearsal shows at the end of last year," Dan admits. "We were completely mind-blown that they sold out in five minutes."

That extended breath allowed childhood bestie bandmates McCarthy and vocalist Jim Higson to take stock, reflect on the winning formula that's brought them this far, and carefully ponder their evolution. Because make no mistake, KAWALA 2.0 is an assured progression. The first hints arrived with the breezy