PØRTERS have opened up about new single Burning Soul, a track they’ve been sitting with for a while now. They’ve already played it live, lived with it a bit, and put the time into getting it right before finally letting it out properly.
It started from a single acoustic riff, which is not usually how they work, but the feeling was there straight away. From that point, the song seems to have built itself out naturally. Ahead of its release on 30 April, the Newcastle band spoke to SoundBite about where Burning Soul came from, what it means to them, and why it felt like the right track to put out now.
How does it feel to finally be putting “Burning Soul” out there?
It feels massive, to be honest. Burning Soul has been with us for a while, and we’ve performed it a few times live, so finally putting the recorded version out there feels like a bit of a release. It’s one of those tracks that means a lot to us, and we’ve put a lot into getting it right, so there’s definitely that mix of excitement and nerves. But more than anything, we’re just buzzing for people to hear it and make it their own.
What first sparked the idea for the track?
The song actually started with a single riff on an acoustic guitar, which is pretty unusual for us. That initial idea just had a certain energy and emotion that we immediately wanted to develop. It even made us switch things up in the band when performing it live, moving instruments around to capture the vibe properly. From that riff, everything else grew organically, and the song really took on a life of its own.
Is the song tied to a specific moment or feeling for you personally?
Definitely. It’s tied to that feeling of choosing to live on your own terms, even when it’s messy or hard. Burning Soul is about chasing something real and passionate instead of settling for the safe, conventional path, even if it means struggle, loss or being misunderstood. It’s personal for all of us in the band, because it’s a reflection of why we do what we do, and what drives us to keep pushing forward.
What does “Burning Soul” mean to you?
To us, Burning Soul is about passion and purpose, the drive to keep going even when it’s hard or uncertain. It’s a reminder of why we make music and the kind of energy we want to put into everything we do. It’s less about grand statements and more about staying true to what matters and giving it everything you’ve got.
Is there a lyric or section of the song that feels especially important to you?
Every lyric in Burning Soul feels rather important, but if we had to pick a section, it’s the bridge. There’s a part where we sing a repeated melodic line leading into the chorus, and it’s designed for the crowd to join in. It’s always a special moment live. Hearing people singing back at us really brings the song to life and makes everyone feel part of it.
How did the track change from the first idea to the finished version?
The track actually didn’t change all that much from the first idea. That initial acoustic riff set the tone and the energy right away, so most of the evolution was about layering and refining rather than reinventing it. We focused on bringing out the dynamics, the contrast between the heavier and more melodic parts, and making sure it translated well live, especially with the instrument swap we made to capture the vibe properly.
Was there a particular sound or mood you were trying to get right with this release?
Yeah, we wanted Burning Soul to capture a mix of intensity and melody, something that hits hard but still carries emotion. The mood was about urgency and passion, the feeling of pushing forward no matter what, while still leaving space for those melodic moments that give the song its emotional weight.
What do you hope people feel when they hear “Burning Soul” for the first time?
We hope people feel a spark, something that grabs their attention and makes them lean in. Whether it’s the intensity, the melody or just the chance to sing along, we want it to leave people feeling engaged, alive and connected to the song in their own way.
Does the song take on a different life when you play it live?
Absolutely. Live, the song really opens up, particularly those moments in the bridge when everyone joins in, and then the contrast between the heavier riffs and the softer sections. It hits differently when you’re feeling it in the moment. It almost becomes a conversation between us and the audience.
What made “Burning Soul” the right track to put out now?
We’ve put out a lot of chunky, riff-driven tracks before, so Burning Soul felt like the perfect way to show another side of what we can do as a band. It still has that energy and edge people expect from us, but releasing it now felt like the right moment to expand the sound we’re putting out there.
When is it out?
It’ll be available on all streaming platforms on 30 April 2026.
Check out PØRTERS and listen to them on Spotify here.