It feels like a lifetime ago that The Ting Tings burst onto the UK charts with a string of hit singles and a wildly successful debut. Back in 2008, their first album ‘We Started Nothing’ did anything but by shooting straight to #1 and selling well.
The duo comprised of Katie White from Manchester and Londoner Jules De Martino, had already been collaborating for years before that breakthrough. Their earliest connection dates back to White’s stint in the teenage girl group TKO, managed by her father, with De Martino writing songs for them. It was the beginning of a partnership that would evolve through various forms before finally becoming The Ting Tings.
While ‘We Started Nothing’ was a chart-topper, their subsequent albums didn’t fare quite as well: charting at #23, #111, and then slipping further into obscurity with each release thereafter. Like many acts from the mid to late-2000s, they eventually found themselves swept up in a wave of nostalgia thanks to social media, particularly TikTok. And while these platforms can often revive interest in past hits, they can also breathe new life into current work.
Their breakthrough single ‘That’s Not My Name’ recently trended on TikTok, used in thousands of videos. Its chanty, earworm quality proved irresistible both to those who remembered it from its heyday and to a new generation encountering it for the first time.
Now, The Ting Tings are back with a fresh direction. Their upcoming album ‘Home’ due for release next month, sees them embracing a softer, yacht rock-inspired sound that feels both unexpected based on the sound of their previous albums and entirely natural. Influences of 1970s like Fleetwood Mac, Dire Straits, and The Eagles shimmer through the tracks released so far. Having relocated to Ibiza and become parents, the duo have clearly stepped back from chasing hits and are now chasing something more organic.
The power of their re-emergence on TikTok is hard to ignore. At the time of writing, their latest single ‘Dreaming’ has already soundtracked over 394,000 videos. Whether it’s people strolling on a beach, sharing inspirational moments, or showing off their outfits, the song has been lovingly dubbed a “sound of the summer.” It’s a testament to the fact that you don’t have to rest on your laurels, social media can be a meaningful way to reconnect with old fans while finding new ones.
‘Dreaming’ isn’t a cheap attempt at chasing hits. In its simplicity, it reflects where The Ting Tings have been, acknowledging the highs and lows of their career. There’s a hopeful tone as they sing, “Maybe we can make it someday / Maybe we can get it back” also revealing they consider changing their name in the lyrics (they revealed they intended to rebrand themselves as White & De Martino in a TikTok video). It’s a thoughtful, honest reintroduction and a strong one at that. As comebacks go, this feels like a genuine rebirth rather than a nostalgia grab. We’re excited to hear what the rest of ‘Home’ has in store when it drops on 6th June.
‘Dreaming’ is available to buy and stream now, ‘Home’ is available to pre-order and will be released 6th June.
