Vocalist and songwriter Atiye Imani steps boldly into the spotlight on ‘Bite Back’, the latest release from London-based producer, multi-instrumentalist, and sonic shapeshifter Harlequiin (the project of Rory Simmons). Together, the pair deliver a vibrant, high-voltage track that merges hyperpop intensity with smooth R&B sensuality — a sound as daring as it is danceable.
Imani’s voice sits at the heart of the track: breathy yet commanding, her delivery threads through Harlequiin’s kaleidoscopic production of skittering garage rhythms, tuned vocal textures, and glimmering synths. She turns the beat’s futuristic pulse into something deeply human — seductive, defiant, and irresistibly confident. The chemistry between the two artists feels instinctive; Harlequiin’s restless sonic imagination finds perfect balance in Imani’s poised, soulful tone.
Speaking about the collaboration, Rory explains:
“I wrote ‘Bite Back’ with Ati — off the back of an AG Cook type beat. We wanted to make something that felt clubby and sexy, but also had some of the irreverence of a Charli XCX track.”
That dual energy — flirtatious yet fearless — defines the single. It’s a track that moves between the dancefloor and the daydream, brimming with playful defiance and texture.
For Imani, ‘Bite Back’ marks another exciting step in a growing career defined by vocal versatility and emotional honesty. Her presence elevates the track, weaving through its sharp-edged production with warmth and agility, hinting at the kind of depth that lingers long after the final chorus.
Harlequiin’s sound has already made waves across the airwaves with support from Craig Charles on BBC Radio 6 Music and John Kennedy on Radio X. Following his early-2025 debut album Even As She Spoke, She Began To Lose Her Form, Simmons continues to carve out a distinct place in the UK’s alternative electronic landscape — one where collaboration and experimentation drive the story forward.
Listen to the new single below: