Appleton have officially returned to the spotlight with the release of their new single Falling Into You, marking their first music as a duo in more than two decades.
The track arrives 23 years after Nicole and Natalie Appleton last recorded together, following years of fan speculation about a reunion.
The pair co-wrote the single with Gareth Young — the producer behind their 2002 hit Fantasy — alongside his current writing partner Bnann.
Speaking about reconnecting in the studio, Nicole said the creative chemistry returned instantly, adding that the song “just flowed out of us because it’s very much the story of us.”
The release follows the 2023 reissue of their debut album, Everything’s Eventual, which reintroduced the project to a new wave of listeners and helped pave the way for their comeback.
Appleton originally broke through with Fantasy, which reached No.2 in the UK, and its follow-up, Don’t Worry, which also landed in the Top 5.
Nicole says the duo are approaching this new era with a different mindset, noting how much the industry has shifted since their debut.
She explained: “We’re going into this with no expectations and enjoying the process of writing and performing again for the love of it.”
Appleton will return to the stage next month with a performance on BBC Radio 2’s Piano Room alongside the BBC Concert Orchestra on February 19. They’re also confirmed for a full-band set at Mighty Hoopla in May, where they’ve hinted at a couple of surprise covers alongside their classic tracks.
Their comeback marks the first time the sisters have performed together in more than 20 years, and nearly five years since they last toured with All Saints — the group with whom they achieved five UK No.1 singles, two BRIT Awards and more than 12 million global sales. According to Nicole, the push to reunite came from their children, who encouraged them to make music together again.
She said: “As soon as the idea was out there, we both realised how much fun it could be.”
