Sonnee releases new single "Pollen" + Exclusive Interview

Stream here: https://wmg.click/Pollen May

After making waves with his Warner debut “Heartfalls” featuring Khazali in March, UK producer Sonnee returns with his latest single “Pollen” – a beautifully textured blend of emotional subtlety and electronic pulse. As one of the most compelling new producers, Sonnee has been gaining momentum, with support from electronic music’s biggest tastemakers (including BBC R1’s ‘Introducing Track of the Week,’ Jaguar’s ‘Dancefloor Moment,’ and DSP editorial playlist covers), remixing acclaimed artists such as Mild Minds and Sultan & Shepard, and playing sold-out sets alongside Tourist, Nimino, Model Man, Swimming Paul and ATRIP.

With “Pollen,” Sonnee once again showcases his gift for weaving emotion into sound—but this time with a distinctly more electronic edge. The track balances introspective moments with a fresh sense of energy, layering driving beats and shimmering textures over its emotional core. It’s more dancefloor-ready than his previous releases, yet no less heartfelt—built on atmospheric Foley FX, finely tuned production, and a lyrical message that lands with quiet power: real feelings will always find a way. Like water—or pollen—they move, they spread, and they persist.

At its core, “Pollen” captures a feeling many know all too well: waiting for someone who means more than words can express. But rather than sinking into longing, the lyrics offer something rarer—a sense of hope. “Time only ever brings me closer to you.” It’s a line that repeats like a mantra, imbuing the track with gentle determination and emotional depth.

Ultimately, the song speaks to trust—the kind that doesn’t fade with time or distance. There’s no drama here, no sweeping declarations. Just a quiet certainty, calmly unwavering: We’re on our way back to each other.

The minimalist lyricism and hypnotic repetition lend the track a meditative quality. Each phrase isn’t just repeated—it’s reinforced. This emotion is real. And it’s not going anywhere.

“Pollen” is out now via Warner Music Central Europe. It’s the second release from Sonnee’s forthcoming EP, innershy, which will be released in June.

About Sonnee
Sonnee, aka Charlie Mannion, is a British producer hailing from Manchester and now based in London. His signature sound — a fusion of organic soundscapes, driving rhythms, and atmospheric vocal samples — has cemented him as one of the most exciting newcomers in the UK electronic scene. Drawing comparisons to artists like Fred again.., Pretty Girl, and Barry Can’t Swim, Sonnee brings his own distinct magic to the mix. With millions of streams and support from BBC Radio 1 and major British DSPs, he has firmly established his place in the scene. His biggest streaming hits include “About You,” “Dancing Ain’t Enough” (each 11 million Spotify streams) and “Leave The Water Still.” Known for his collaborations with rising vocal talents, Sonnee crafts unique and soulful partnerships, and beyond his own releases, he curates the club series “Solaa,” which consistently sells out nights in London and Manchester. Sonnee has recently provided remixes for some of the hottest names in music including Mild Minds and Sultan & Shepard, played to sell-out crowds with artists such as Tourist, Nimino, Model Man, Swimming Paul and ATRIP and opened for Danish electro duo ROYA in London and Manchester in March.

About Khazali
A London native who blends indie and electronic influences to craft his own timeless take on classic pop, Khazali returns after a brief hiatus after releasing heartbreakingly personal single, “Nothing Scares Me Anymore” in 2024. Following a year of reflection and creative evolution, Khazali steps back into the spotlight with a renewed sense of purpose. His ability to fuse raw emotion with effortless melody has already drawn the attention of tastemakers, and his latest work only deepens that connection. With a distinct blend of indie and electronic pop, spanning from melancholy to euphoria, Khazali continues to carve out his own lane as one of the UK’s most compelling new voices. Having gained support from Spotify, BBC Radio 1, and COLORS, alongside performances at Reading Festival, The Jazz Cafe, and London’s iconic Roundhouse, his return marks an exciting new chapter for the rising singer-songwriter.

Warm Colours Into Sound

When “Heartfalls” came out earlier this year, it hit me in a way I didn’t expect. It didn’t try to make a statement. It just existed, soft and unassuming, but it stayed with me. There’s something about the way Sonnee lets his emotions sit just beneath the surface. With Khazali’s velvet-smooth vocals layered over that tender production, it felt like watching the rain fall from inside, warm and still. It was a reminder that music doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful.

His new single “Pollen” feels like the next chapter, but this time it has a heartbeat. There’s movement, there’s color. It’s still Sonnee at his core, still reflective and emotionally charged, but now it makes you want to move. It feels like that moment after a long exhale, when the weight lifts and you’re ready to feel something new.

I’ve been following Sonnee for a while now. From the early tracks like “About You” and “Dancing Ain’t Enough” to the sold-out SOLAA nights he curates in Manchester and London, his journey has always felt intentional. Each release feels a little more open, a little more confident. Pollen might be his most assured track yet. It’s the second single from his upcoming EP innershy, and it already feels like a turning point.

I had the chance to sit down with him and talk about all of it. We spoke about the quiet strength of “Heartfalls,” how “Pollen” came together, and the meaning behind the title innershy. He opened up about his creative process, his influences, and why it’s just as important to make space for emotion as it is to create something people can dance to.

This is Sonnee.

What was the inspiration behind “Heartfalls,” and how did the collaboration with Khazali come together?
Looking back, “Heartfalls” was such a breezy song to make. We had the instrumental mostly laid out—though it was a bit more barebones—but the track was basically there. I think the first time I heard Khazali’s song “Comfort,” I knew I wanted to write something with him. This was before I’d even released any of my own music. We sent over the instrumental and jumped into the studio a couple of weeks later.

How did your connection with Khazali shape the emotional tone of the track?
I remember that first studio session—we were just chatting about life and how sometimes you need to let certain feelings go before you can really move on. He captured that perfectly in the lyrics. I’m so grateful he did.

“I need to let it go” is such a powerful refrain. When did that idea become personal to you?
In sooo many ways! I feel like almost all healing is about letting go of the past and embracing the future. For me, that comes through optimism—the idea that once you start to move forward, the things you want to let go will start to fall away. I’m always trying to let go—whether it’s overthinking, frustration, anxiety… All of the human stuff you know.

You’ve described “Heartfalls” as capturing the space between a lost past and new beginnings. How does that theme resonate in your own life right now?
The title “Heartfalls” represents both falling out of love and letting go of a relationship, while also the beginnings of falling in love again.

The EP title is unique. What does “innershy” mean to you, and how does it reflect this new chapter?
“innershy” is a feeling to embrace—whether it’s closing your eyes in a rave and losing yourself, or accepting yourself just as you are. The EP is one of firsts, built from the energy I felt during my SOLAA nights or working in the room with a vocalist for the first time. I’ve been trying to live in that feeling – live in “innershy.”

What stories or emotions are at the heart of your upcoming EP, innershy?
The title came to me after my first SOLAA rave in Manchester. The energy in the room—all through music, no words, just community and sound—was unreal. The word “shy” is personal for me. I used to feel pressure to overcome/push through shyness rather than embrace it. This EP leans into the idea that softness, vulnerability, and energy exist side by side.

You mentioned innershy includes a lot of firsts. What were some of those firsts, and how did they influence your approach?
innershy is full of firsts: new writing processes, launching my own club night in Manchester and London, a new label partner. It’s all so exciting and really keeps me inspired to keep pushing my sound & looking forward to what’s next.

How does “Heartfalls” introduce listeners to the sound and vision of innershy as a whole?
We really tried to visualise the theme with the artwork. Sonically, it’s a bit of a switch-up for me, but still feels like me. I hadn’t released anything in over a year, so I wanted the return to feel different and intentional—and I think we did that. My plan is to keep the “innershy” world going beyond this EP.

Your music blends organic textures with dance floor energy. How do you find that balance between emotion and movement?
To me, they work together. Both offer release. Some of my favourite moments on a dancefloor are those melancholic, thoughtful ones – like when someone like Jamie xx drops a moment that just hits you emotionally mid-set.

How has your production process evolved from earlier tracks like “About You” and “Dancing Ain’t Enough”?
Ahhh, massively. I love those tracks and I’m really glad other people do too. But I’ve learned so much since releasing them. I’ve been working really hard on becoming a better songwriter and producer. I’ve changed a lot as a person since then – and so has my taste in music.

Are there specific tools, instruments, or techniques you find yourself reaching for in the studio lately?
Simplicity is everything. I mostly work in the box, and a lot of what I use are just Ableton plugins. If a plugin or synth is too complex or tedious, I zone out. That said, I love the Alterboy stuff, Valhalla, and Soothe.

You’ve been compared to artists like Fred again.. and Barry Can’t Swim. What do you think defines your sound as uniquely Sonnee?
Those comparisons are wild to me—they’re icons in the scene right now. My sound has changed a lot over the last year. With this EP and the music I’ve been writing, I think I’ve landed on a sound I’ve been working toward for a while. Hopefully people can start to hear a track and say, “Yeah, that sounds like Sonnee,” even before checking who made it.

Were there any early influences, albums, artists, or moments that led you to create this blend of indie and electronic?
LOVE this question. My parents played a wide range of music growing up. On the electronic side: Jon Hopkins’ “Immunity,” Jamie xx’s “In Colour,” Burial’s “Untrue.” Indie-wise: Bon Iver’s “For Emma, Forever Ago,” The Antlers’ “Hospice,” and Poliça’s “Give You the Ghost.” A lot of it is super melancholic, I should probably go check in on my parents! (Laughs.)

How do you tell stories through sound, even when the lyrics aren’t front and center?
It always starts with foley—real sounds from my life, like dog walks or commuting. From there I start writing. My track “Leave The Water Still” is a good example I think – I manipulated a sample so that the lyrics meant something entirely new to me. Titles are also key. Even with instrumentals, a title can set the whole emotional tone.

You’ve said your music explores vulnerability. How does space or silence between sounds contribute to that emotional landscape?
Layering is important to my sound, but I’ve learned over time that less is more. It’s easy to overload a track. Sometimes, one well-placed sample or effect says more and adds more to the journey.

How does songwriting help you process or heal?
It’s my biggest form of escapism and grounding. When I’m creating, I can’t think of anything else. I guess it’s like meditation!

What was it like traveling to Berlin to sign with Warner Music, and why did that feel like such a defining moment?
That was an incredible few days. Such an amazing group of people. I felt like I’d found a team who believed in the sound as much as I do, and that meant everything.

With millions of streams and support from BBC Radio 1, Mixmag, and others, how do you stay grounded and creatively focused?
I’m so grateful for the support and numbers, but it hasn’t changed how I write. At the end of the day, it’s most often still just me, a laptop, and headphones – which is exactly the same as when I started.

You’ve curated your own club night, SOLAA, in Manchester and London. How has that experience shaped your identity as an artist?
Creating SOLAA has massively influenced my music. The third single on innershy was made with those dancefloors in mind. I wanted the track to reflect the energy and community we’re building in those nights.

As you move into this next chapter with innershy, what do you hope listeners take away from the project—both emotionally and on the dancefloor?
innershy is about connecting with yourself. Across these songs—from letting go in “Heartfalls,” to the optimism in “Pollen,” to the focused energy of “U+I”. I hope people find a chance to let go and embrace whichever version of themselves needs it.

You’ve spoken about being drawn to emotion-first production. How do you know when a track is finished emotionally, not just sonically?
Ahhh great question, I don’t think I’ve been asked this before. I usually listen on loop for about a week. If it still gives me goosebumps and I get that feeling of, “Yeah, this is the one,” then I know it’s done.

There’s a visual softness to your cover art and branding. How intentional is the aesthetic side of Sonnee, and how does it tie into your sound?
The visual world of Sonnee has always been something I’ve loved working on & thinking about. Early on, I designed my own artwork, even though I didn’t have design experience I just thought I could apply the same process as making music to making the artworks. Now I work with amazing creatives, who can really dig into my ideas and do something I could never do. One of the most exciting things is getting an email with a new artwork or video.

If innershy had a color palette or single image to represent its emotional core, what would that look like?
Orange, yellow, white, and blue.

When you’re not in the studio or behind the decks, where do you turn for creative recharge?
Nature is a BIG one, especially now that I’ve got two puppies who need a loooot of outdoor time. (Laughs.) I also love podcasts, films, and anything non-music related which allows me to disconnect. Recently, I’ve been getting into fashion and designing my own clothes which is completely new for me really.

Looking ahead, is there a dream collaboration, artist, vocalist, or even filmmaker you’d love to work with to push your sound further?
Bon Iver.

Let’s talk gear. What hardware and software are you currently using in the studio to produce your tracks?
Right now, just a MacBook Pro and Ableton with a load of plugins.

And I’ve got to ask—what headphones are usually around your neck when you’re working or playing live?
Beyerdynamic DT 900s… Although my puppy just chewed through the wire, so I’m using Apple earphones at the moment.

Who are some of the artists or people that inspire you most, and where do you find motivation on days when creativity is hard to come by?
Rick Rubin’s philosophies on creativity really connect. I also listen to a lot of interviews—Zane Lowe, Tape Notes, Radio 1 sessions. Hearing how other artists work always reassures me for some reason.

We’re here today talking about “Heartfalls” and “Pollen,” but what are some other releases you’re especially proud of?
“For Violet” has always stuck out to me.

And while we’re at it—are you currently in the studio working on your next masterpiece?
I’m actually at home today about to start work on a new remix I’m really excited about.

Thanks for doing this. I really enjoyed our time together. In all of the interviews I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.
Thank you so much for having me! I’d say stay creative & have fun with whatever project you’re working on – don’t worry about what other people will think, it’s first and foremost for you.

Sonnee “Pollen” is out now via Warner Music Central Europe, get it here: https://wmg.click/Pollen. It’s the second release from Sonnee’s forthcoming EP innershy, which will be released in June.