People of a certain generation (and that includes your humble writer) will feel an extra twinge in the spine from the very first notes of “First Fire” by Red Cavalry, because this is the kind of song that gave you permission to get way down in your feelings back in the day - it’s sweet without being cheesy, authentic and cool but not too-cool-for-school.

There’s a wave of familiar vibes here - from REM to, maybe more prominently, World Party. It’s not something we hear enough these days, and it’s incredibly satisfying to stumble on a single like this in 2025.

it’s the first fire … it’s the spark of desire

I’ve spent so many hours, days, weeks in the headspace that this song encapsulates. Red Cavalry have done a fantastic job of bottling that feeling here.

As is their habit, the single comes along with a bonus B-side, in this case a tight little piano hymn called “Legends of Love Divine”.

Keep Red Cavalry on your radar.