Wotts aren’t just stepping into 2025—they’re sprinting headfirst with a sonic confidence that’s as addictive as it is ambitious. Their latest single “NOT US,” released March 28th, is more than just a teaser for their upcoming EP FLANK!—it’s a mission statement. The Ottawa-based indie pop duo, known for blending the nostalgic with the now, have delivered their most experimental track to date, one that still somehow feels distinctly, unmistakably Wotts.
If you’ve been following the band’s evolution over the past few years—from blog darlings to festival stage regulars—you already know that Jayem and Ricky 100 are masters at marrying crisp pop melodies with genre-hopping production. But “NOT US” takes that experimentation to new heights, slamming together Police-style percussion, shimmering synths, and a frenzied piano line that sounds like it crash-landed from a new wave record spinning in hyperspeed. The result? A glossy, anxious anthem that’s tailor-made for midnight drives and emotional spirals.
Produced entirely by Jayem, “NOT US” continues Wotts’ tradition of being self-made and self-driven. It’s the sound of two artists challenging themselves in real-time, letting their influences color outside the lines without losing their voice in the process. Jayem cites The Police as an unexpected muse for the track, and the influence shows—not just in the drum patterns that echo Stewart Copeland’s signature chaos but in the way the song walks the tightrope between catchy and unsettling. “It felt very natural, never forced,” Jayem says about the track’s evolution. That’s the magic of “NOT US”: it manages to sound meticulously crafted while still riding on raw emotion.
Lyrically, Wotts tap into the overarching theme of FLANK!—loss. But, as they’ve done before, they wrap melancholy in melody like pros. “It’s another classic Wotts record that hides the sad in a bed of happy sounds,” Jayem explains. “If you’ve ever had to deal with loss, you know that no matter what horrible thing might have happened, sometimes you have to wear a face to get by.” It’s this emotional duality that makes “NOT US” land with such impact. The beat says dance, but the lyrics say deal with your feelings. It’s the indie pop equivalent of crying on the dancefloor—and it works.
What’s especially exciting about “NOT US” is how boldly it hints at what’s to come. Wotts have made it clear that FLANK! will be a turning point. If 2024 was about building a foundation, then 2025 is about breaking boundaries. They’re leaning more into guitars. They’re flirting with Britpop. They’re tossing genre rules out the window like last year’s festival wristbands. Ricky 100 says it best: “The last thing we want to do is make the same songs over and over again.” With “NOT US,” they’ve proven they’re not just changing things up—they’re reinventing themselves mid-flight.
Wotts have always had a knack for evolution without losing authenticity. That’s why they’ve played stages like RBC Bluesfest and Canadian Music Week and earned nods from tastemakers at CBC Radio and EARMILK. But this new phase feels different. There’s a sharper edge, a stronger pulse, and a deeper sense of purpose in every bar. “We started this with a mandate to always be experimenting,” says Ricky—and it’s paying off.
With more singles on the way and FLANK! slated for a late spring or early summer release, Wotts are ready to take bigger swings, and if “NOT US” is any indication, they’re going to connect every time. This is music that doesn’t play it safe—and that’s exactly why it hits so hard.
So turn it up, press repeat, and brace yourself. Wotts have entered their bold era, and “NOT US” is just the beginning.
