Alt-pop newcomers pecq return today with ‘Left Behind,’ the stunning first single from their forthcoming EP Amnesia’s Ritual, May 9. Written in the aftermath of a close friend’s suicide, the new track is an unflinching portrayal of loss and the incomprehensible array of emotions that accompany it.

Released alongside an eerie, snow capped video directed by Zak Watson, ‘Left Behind’ succeeds in taking pecq’s world-building to an entirely new level. Equal parts haunting and euphoric, the new single is uniquely intense, detailed and personal. Buried amongst the characteristic analog synths, taut drums and detuned strings are heartbreaking details that give colour to the track: a field recording from the Paris Metro.

Nikò explains: “I wrote my first ever songs just after the suicide of one of my closest friends and former bandmate. I think everything I’ve written since then has been about that in some way. Music has been a way to stay connected to them and process the intensity of the things I saw and experienced. This song is the first time I’ve felt able to deal with a lot of stuff I was too scared to revisit before. A big part of that was writing the lyrics with Jakes which helped to distill and accept things that felt too big for my own words. Being able to share these intense feelings has been the best way for me to deal with them. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today if I hadn’t been able to talk to friends and make music.”