Riot Games
K/DA, they show you how to do it after nearly six years away! The virtual pop supergroup made up of League of Legends champions Ahri, Akali, Evelynn and Kai’Sa have reunited for the “FIRESTARTER” EP, bringing four tracks that explore different sides of their signature sound. With MIYEON and SOYEON of i-dle returning alongside new collaborators Sophie Powers and Mimi Webb, K/DA are ready to remind everyone why their music became such a phenomenon in the first place.
As the title track, “FIRESTARTER” has a lot to live up to, but it feels like the perfect song to kick off this new era. There’s an immediate sense of confidence and energy that makes it feel unmistakably K/DA, while still giving the group room to show us what this comeback has in store. It’s bold, it’s fiery, and it shows why these virtual pop stars deserve their place in the wider music conversation. If this is the starting point of the EP, consider our interest officially reignited. Following up, “WATCH ME” brings plenty of sass to the table, adding an extra layer of coolness to the EP. There’s an attitude running through the track that makes it particularly fun to listen to, and it feels like the kind of song that could soundtrack a character’s most iconic entrance. It’s confident without trying too hard, and it’s easily my personal favourite on the EP. Sometimes a track just has that kind energy, and “WATCH ME” absolutely does.
“NEVER GOING BACK” takes things in a more playful direction. It’s fun, catchy and has the sort of energy that makes you want to sing along at full volume in your bedroom, regardless of whether you know every word yet. Not every song needs to be the most experimental or hard-hitting moment on a project. Sometimes, you just need a track that puts you in a good mood, and this one delivers exactly that. “GIRLS”, featuring League of Legends character DJ Sona, is all about the vibes. There’s a confident, effortlessly stylish feeling to the track that immediately brings to mind catwalks, getting ready for a night out and embracing your main-character energy. It’s a fitting addition to the project, leaning into the glamorous side of K/DA’s identity while giving DJ Sona her own moment in the spotlight after a long time.
The “FIRESTARTER” EP EP reminds us why K/DA remain one of the most exciting acts at the intersection of gaming and pop music, from the fiery confidence of the title track to the playful sing-along appeal of “NEVER GOING BACK” and the effortless attitude of “WATCH ME”. More importantly, K/DA represent something much bigger than a fictional girl group. Riot Games has consistently found ways to bring gaming and music together, creating virtual artists who can build genuine connections with listeners beyond the games they originate from. K/DA helped push that idea into the mainstream, and their return feels like an opportunity to explore just how much further it can go.