“The most me I’ve felt”: Ruti kicks off new era with "I’ll Be Your Friend" single and video

The track marks a clear departure from Ruti’s earlier, more stripped-back piano-led work. Ruti draws on the flow and poetic intimacy associated with artists like Florence and the Machine, Gigi Perez, and Adrienne Lenker.

Written and produced with Theo Hutchcraft (HURTS) and Will Bloomfield (Fred Again, Bastille, Alfie Templeman), the single reflects a period of artistic exploration for the non-binary artist, who uses they/them pronouns. An accompanying music video is available to watch below.

Ruti, born in Essex to a Nigerian father and English mother and now based in London, grew up listening to gospel, disco, and Nigerian artists such as Fela Kuti. They first gained attention with their 2024 EP Lungs, later remixed by drum & bass producer Calibre. Their 2025 EP Maybe I Got It Wrong was written across London, LA, and Stockholm with collaborators including Tom McFarland (Jungle) and PomPom (Suki Waterhouse, Noah Kahan).

Reflecting on that record, Ruti said: “All my influences have come together in a way that makes sense. This is the most consistent and cohesive I’ve ever sounded – I just feel like I’m really coming into my own.”

Last year, Ruti supported Bastille at their Birmingham stadium show and played BST Festival, as well as supporting Amber Mark at the ICA.