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Appleton Sisters Natalie and Nicole Release First New Music as Duo in 23 Years
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Natalie and Nicole Appleton, known collectively as Appleton and previously members of the chart-topping girl group All Saints, have returned as a duo with the release of their new single "Falling Into You." This marks the sisters'first original music together in 23 years, following their 2003 debut album "Everything’s Eventual", which achieved gold certification in the UK and spawned hits "Fantasy" and "Don’t Worry" .
The new track reunites the Appleton sisters with Gareth Young, who produced their 2002 single "Fantasy"alongside songwriting partner Bnann. Nicole Appleton shared that the collaboration felt seamless: “We hadn’t worked with Gareth since we made our ‘Everything’s Eventual’ album, so we were amazed at how quickly everything clicked into place again. This song just flowed out of us because it’s very much the story of us. ” Natalie Appleton echoed the sentiment in an interview with Grazia, describing the studio session as “like walking into a time warp. .. It was like we just walked out 20 years ago, and we were walking back in. It’s easy. ”
"Falling Into You" premiered on Scott Mills’ BBC Radio 2 show and is available to stream via appleton. komi. io. Described as a mid-tempo song with a soaring chorus led by Natalie and shared verses between the sisters, it features Nicole's signature spoken parts and evokes their earlier work like a "younger cousin"to "Don’t Worry."
The release builds on momentum from the 2023 vinyl reissue of "Everything’s Eventual" for its 20th anniversary, which was well-received. Nicole Appleton noted the evolution of the industry: “The entire music scene has changed since we put out the first Appleton album. .. We’re going into this with no expectations and enjoying the process of writing and performing again for the love of it. ”
Prompting the reunion were the sisters'children, Gene and Ace. “It was actually our kids Gene and Ace who suggested we reunite, ” Nicole recalled. “Gene said out of the blue: ‘Why don’t you do something with Auntie Nat again?' ” This family inspiration aligns with the personal narrative of the new single.
Appleton have announced two 2026 live appearances to support the release: a performance on BBC Radio 2’s Piano Rooms with the BBC Concert Orchestra on February 19, and a set at Mighty Hoopla festival in May. Nicole teased the shows: “We’re planning on throwing in a fun cover or two, but you’ll definitely hear all the songs you expect from us. ”
The sisters'history with All Saints provides context for their return. Formed in London, All Saints achieved global success in the late 1990s and early 2000s with five studio albums, including the 1997 self-titled debut featuring UK No. 1 singles "Never Ever, " "Under the Bridge/Lady Marmalade, "and "Bootie Call, "and 2000's "Saints & Sinners" with "Pure Shores"and "Black Coffee." The group won two BRIT Awards and sold over 12 million records worldwide, with their latest album "Testament" in 2018 and a tour in 2021.
Coverage in LGBTQ+ affirming outlet Attitude highlights the event's resonance within queer music communities, where All Saints'empowering pop anthems like "Pure Shores"have long been celebrated for their inclusive appeal. Mighty Hoopla, a prominent festival known for its vibrant celebration of pop culture and diverse audiences including LGBTQ+ fans, adds to the event's community ties. No specific community responses to the new single were detailed across sources, though the duo's revival taps into nostalgia for their era-defining sound.
