Multi-platinum duo Icona Pop return today with their electrifying new single “Ritual” featuring Daya—written by the duo and born from a period of personal struggle, survival, and revelation. The cathartic, high-energy anthem captures the power of movement, release, and self-reclamation on the dancefloor, introducing a more vulnerable and emotionally grounded side of the artists.
Driven by pulsating production and emotionally charged lyricism, “Ritual” explores the idea of healing through physical and emotional release. Anchored by the mantra-like refrain, “This is my ritual, yeah I do it to survive,” the track transforms vulnerability into something communal and euphoric—inviting listeners to let go, reconnect with their bodies, and find strength in the act of dancing.
Built around vivid imagery and raw introspection, the song draws from real-life experiences, weaving together themes of transformation, identity, and resilience. “Ritual” is about searching for answers and learning how to move forward—channeling uncertainty into something physical, freeing, and ultimately empowering.
Speaking about the track, Icona Pop’s Aino and Caroline reveal, “When one of our best friends was going through a crisis, she went to a shaman in New York and searched for answers. He asked, ‘Do you want to live in your body? It feels cold — you have to dance and eat hot food to bring it back to life.’ It was so vivid that we included it in the song.”
They continue, “The last couple of years really put us through a lot — we questioned everything. Now, in retrospect, it really proves how strong our friendship is and the love we have for our band. It would have been so much easier to give up, but we did the work and came out on the other side. It was like we chose each other again, and now we are closer than ever.”
“This song, ‘Ritual,’ really represents what this new chapter is about — that search: Who am I now? How do I move forward? The little rituals you do every day to keep going. For us, it’s a kind of spiritual journey,” they add.
On her collaboration with Icona Pop, Daya says, “‘Ritual’ has such a fresh and inspiring energy, and when I first heard it, I knew I wanted to be on it. It just makes me want to dance and sweat at the club all night. I’m such a fan of Icona Pop and so grateful to the girls for bringing me in on this one. I hope people love it!”
In celebration of the release, Icona Pop will make an appearance at Daybreaker’s Othership Williamsburg “HEATWAVE” event in New York on April 23, for a special guest performance. The immersive, sauna-driven gathering—built around heat, cold, and music as pathways to presence—echoes the core themes of “Ritual,” bringing the track’s ideas of movement, release, and reconnection into a live, embodied setting. For more information, visit HERE.
In addition to new music, Icona Pop are set to join Meghan Trainor on “The Get In Girl Tour,” produced by Live Nation, kicking off June 12, 2026. The 33-date North American run will see the duo perform in major markets including Toronto, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Raleigh, Orlando, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Nashville, Houston, Denver, Seattle, San Francisco, Phoenix, and more as well as at iconic venues such as Madison Square Garden in New York City and the Kia Forum in Los Angeles. Tickets are available HERE.
“Ritual” marks Icona Pop’s first new music since the release of their third studio album, CLUB ROMANTECH, in 2023—their first full-length project in a decade. The album was met with widespread acclaim, delivering a bold, genre-blurring collection of club-ready pop anthems, including standout tracks like “Stick Your Tongue Out,” “I Want You” (with Galantis), and fan favorites “Faster” and “You’re Free” (with Ultra Naté), reaffirming the duo’s place at the forefront of global dance music. Following the album, the duo released CLUB ROMANTECH (Deluxe), expanding the project with new tracks, remixes, and alternate versions—further showcasing their versatility across both pop and harder-edged electronic sounds.
Rather than slowing down, Icona Pop have remained firmly in motion—returning to the studio and continuing to evolve their sound while staying true to the emotional core that has always defined their music. With “Ritual,” they step confidently into their next chapter, once again blurring the lines between catharsis and celebration.
At the heart of everything Icona Pop do is a shared philosophy: turning real emotion into something you can move to. Whether rooted in heartbreak, transformation, or self-discovery, their music has always embraced the tension between darkness and light—creating space for listeners to feel, release, and ultimately come alive.
“Ritual” is a powerful continuation of that ethos—an invitation to step onto the dancefloor, let go, and find your way back to yourself.
Stay tuned for more exciting news and new music coming soon.
“Ritual,” the new single from Icona Pop featuring Daya, is available now on all streaming platforms.
Photo Credit: Teitur Ardal
