There’s something magnetic about a song that doesn’t pretend everything is fine. Montana Chanel’s new single “ride or die” lands right in that space. The independent London singer-songwriter has just released an alternative pop track that feels like it was pulled straight from the middle of a messy, late-night argument and then carefully shaped into something you can actually sing along to.
“Ride or die” sits in that classic alt pop sweet spot: moody yet lively production, infectious melodies, and layered harmonies that give the track both intimacy and lift. What really sticks is the way the song moves between major and minor chord changes. Those shifts aren’t just musical decoration. They mirror the exact emotional push and pull the track is about—whether to stay and fight for a relationship or walk away when every part of you already knows the pattern is unhealthy.
Montana wrote the song after a massive argument with her then-boyfriend that nearly ended things. She describes it as a combination of self-reflection and a direct question to the universe: is this right for me? The lyrics and structure lean into that contradiction. One side of her knows she keeps choosing the wrong guys and that toxic environments somehow feel familiar. The other side refuses to stop fighting for what she cares about. That tension runs through the whole track and gives it a raw, vulnerable energy without ever tipping into pure sadness. It’s uplifting in the way only honest songwriting can be.
At 24, Montana Chanel already carries a surprising amount of experience. She started as the voice of the children’s television character Pocoyo at the age of four and continued working in voice acting before shifting her focus fully to music. That early training in performance shows in the way she delivers these personal stories. She has been open about her own mental health journey and treats songwriting as both an outlet and a way to connect with people who have felt the same confusion. “Ride or die” continues that commitment. It takes a specific, painful moment and turns it into something wider that a lot of listeners will recognise: the quiet war between what the heart wants and what the mind already understands.
The single is out now via Now Listen and available on all major platforms. It feels like a natural next step for an artist who keeps choosing honesty over polish. The production is strong, the chorus sticks, and the emotional core is clear without ever becoming heavy-handed. In a streaming landscape full of carefully packaged heartbreak, tracks that still sound like they came from a real argument cut through.
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Montana Chanel’s “ride or die” is the kind of release that reminds you why alt pop still works when the writing stays personal. The chord changes, the layered vocals, and the refusal to tidy up the contradictions all add up to a track that feels lived-in. Give it a spin and see how it lands for you. What do you think of the way she balances the push and pull? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear which part hit you hardest.
