PRAISE FOR ‘THE PANIC YEARS’:
“Full of intelligent songwriting, a psychedelic edge and Americana influence.” – Wonderland
“A debut solo collection that sparkles with fizzy brilliance.” – Dork
“Lush, soaring vocals, and effortlessly cool alt-rock instrumentals.” – 1883
“A psychedelic rock feel, which perfectly caters to his rich, seasoned vocal tone.” – Euphoria
In a music world full of carefully orchestrated collaborations, it’s rare to witness a creative partnership born out of genuine admiration and spontaneous connection. But that’s exactly how British singer-songwriter Bradley Simpson and Hongjoong of K-pop powerhouse ATEEZ came together—bridging continents to deliver a stunning new version of “Almost”, a standout track from Bradley’s acclaimed solo debut, The Panic Years.
It all started when Hongjoong shared “Almost” on his Instagram stories. That one post sparked a conversation—and within two weeks, the ATEEZ leader had already sent over a reworked verse.
“It was such an organic process,” says Bradley. “Hongjoong posted the track, we got to chatting, and then he just sent over this amazing Korean verse. It’s been so exciting hearing the song from The Panic Years slightly reimagined with his perspective. I’ve always loved collaborations that come from real connections—like when I reworked Favourite Band with Nieve Ella. This one feels just as special.”
Hongjoong doesn’t just feature—he transforms the track. With his signature style, he introduces Korean lyrics into the second verse and layers his distinctive harmonies over Bradley’s topline, bringing a fresh emotional texture to the song.
“I’ve been a fan of Bradley’s music for a while,” Hongjoong shares. “When I shared Almost, I never expected he’d reach out—but everything came together so naturally. Our styles are different, but that’s what made it exciting. I’m always looking for new challenges, and working with Bradley felt easy because we share the same passion and energy—even from different sides of the world.”
The release comes at a pivotal moment for both artists. Bradley recently wrapped an Asia tour supporting Henry Moodie and is now gearing up for a summer of major UK festival appearances, including Together Again, Boardmasters (August 10), and Victorious (August 24). His tour for The Panic Years has already seen sold-out dates across the UK, Europe, North America, and Australia.
Meanwhile, ATEEZ continues to redefine global K-pop success. Since their 2018 debut, the eight-member group has topped charts in Korea, sold out stadiums across continents, and made history as the first K-pop act to land three UK Official Album Chart Top 10s in a single year. Earlier in 2025, they kicked off their global run with two sold-out shows at London’s O2 Arena. In the U.S., they’ve already scored two Billboard 200 #1 albums and consistently fill arenas and stadiums.
With “Almost”, Bradley Simpson and Hongjoong prove that music knows no borders—and that sometimes, the best collaborations happen when artists simply follow the music.
