Written in 2020 and finished across multiple cities and studios, the track marks the band’s first official release in four years
After a four-year hiatus, The Ransom Collective makes a heartfelt return with their new single, “Tongue Tied.” Blending indie pop with subtle bossa nova influences, the track feels like opening a cherished photo album—familiar, comforting, and quietly alive with emotion.
While the band hasn’t been together in the same way over the past few years, Tongue Tied marks a conscious step forward—rooted in gratitude, shaped by distance, and driven by the enduring bond that continues to connect them.
“Tongue Tied actually lived in the studio for more than three years,” the six-piece collective shares. “We recorded parts of it even before the pandemic, but had to shelve it as the band slowed down and some of us moved out of town. Eventually, we picked it back up remotely—recording across different spaces—before finally completing it in Manila in late 2025.”
Built on bright instrumentation and an earnest, feel-good energy, the track captures the magic of new love—specifically that disarming moment when words fail and emotions take over. Vocalist and guitarist Kian Ransom reveals that the song was inspired by his own love story.
“It started with the line, ‘You walk in the room, and I get nervous,’” he shares. “I sang it over a chord progression we were jamming, and it brought me back to how I felt when I was first getting to know my wife. From there, the song grew into a reflection of that ‘tongue-tied’ feeling you get when you’re newly smitten.”
Sonically, Tongue Tied expands the band’s signature indie-folk sound with fresh textures. What began as a spontaneous jam evolved into a vibrant mix of indie pop songwriting, jazzy harmonies, and bossa rhythms—an unexpected yet seamless fusion for the group.
“As a band, we’ve always appreciated jazz, but never imagined it fitting into our music,” they explain. “Somehow, it worked in a way that feels both refreshing and natural. The outro, especially, became a space for creative exploration—with percussion and vocal arrangements that feel both new and familiar.”
Striking a balance between nostalgia and evolution, Tongue Tied offers something for both longtime fans and new listeners. Written back in 2020, it carries the essence of the band’s earlier work—evoking the spirit of their Traces era—while introducing a more refined, genre-blending sound.
With this release, The Ransom Collective proves that even after time and distance, their music—and their connection—remains as vibrant as ever.
