B-Side Guys

The dancefloor has always been hallowed ground for heartbreak. In his latest single “Angel,” Kai Bosch—the self-proclaimed aspirant to become “the biggest gay popstar in the universe”—reconsecrates this space with a glitter-soaked anthem that transforms emotional dishonesty into disco liberation.

This shimmering track from Bosch’s forthcoming EP ‘Popstar of Your Dreams’ (due April 16th) marks a bold evolutionary step for the 21-year-old artist. Following the euphoric “Everything Is Beautiful” and the stellar “Rodeo Romeo,” “Angel” completes a trifecta of releases that position Bosch at the intersection of commercial appeal and artistic authenticity.

What distinguishes “Angel” from typical heartbreak anthems is its unflinching examination of romantic displacement—specifically, as Bosch candidly explains, “thinking of someone else when you’re having sex.” This thematic terrain could easily veer into mean-spirited territory, but Bosch navigates it with remarkable empathy. When he describes being with someone “so kind, gentle, and perfect” while “still pining for something painful and ugly,” he articulates the particular guilt of emotional infidelity with devastating precision.

The production choices enhance this thematic exploration, with pulsating synths and an undeniable groove creating a sonic environment where emotional revelation becomes physical release. Particularly effective is the contrast between verse introspection and chorus expansiveness, mirroring the internal conflict between present appreciation and past fixation.

Most striking is the middle eight, which Bosch describes as a last-minute addition written after he had finally let go of both the rebound relationship and the lingering feelings from his first breakup. This section—featuring what he calls “the highest note in Kai Bosch history”—transforms the narrative from stagnant yearning to forward motion, creating cathartic resolution that elevates the composition beyond simple confession.

Having earned praise from BBC Radio 1’s Future Pop and publications like Clash and The Line of Best Fit, Bosch continues to demonstrate why his artistic vision resonates beyond niche appeal. “Angel” serves as evidence that sometimes the most universally relatable art emerges not from filtered perfection but from messy authenticity—the kind that requires “a glitter ball and some flared trousers” to fully process.

As Bosch prepares to take his “Popstar of Your Dreams” EP on the road (including a sold-out London show at Oslo), “Angel” stands as compelling evidence that his mission to queer the pop universe may not be as far-fetched as it initially sounds.