Paperwhite Returns With a Sound That’s Nostalgic Yet Fearlessly New

By Robert White, Editor-In-Chief

When synth-pop duo Paperwhite—siblings Katie and Ben Marshall—first emerged over a decade ago, they quickly captivated fans and tastemakers with their lush soundscapes and infectious melodies. Now, after a hiatus and a season of growth, the New York-based duo is back with Reach, their first EP in nearly nine years, set for release on June 27.

Leading the project is the hypnotic single This Feeling, a dreamy, synth-laced track that pulses with both melancholy and hope. It’s a song born from emotional honesty and creative intuition. “It’s about those moments when the world feels unrecognizable,” Katie explains, “but you find something inside you—this feeling—that reminds you to keep going. That there’s still magic out there.”

That sense of resilience is baked into every element of the track. “Those chords were just stuck in my head for days,” Ben recalls. “I knew I had to sit down and bring it to life. It started as a beat, then Katie added her voice, and the chorus just stuck. It felt like the emotional center of the whole EP.”

For Paperwhite, music has always been a family affair. Raised in a musically inclined household, both Katie and Ben were steeped in creativity from an early age. “Our parents always had music playing—Tears for Fears, Wilson Phillips, The Beatles,” says Ben. “Katie was writing songs in elementary school. I was in metal bands. It was chaotic but inspiring.”

That blend of influences continues to inform their sound today—one that’s equal parts cinematic, synth-forward, and emotionally textured. Ben, a drummer-turned-producer, brings a rhythmic sensibility to the pair’s dreamy arrangements, while Katie provides the melodic and lyrical heart. “There’s something primal about the combination of rhythm and voice,” Ben says. “We try to stay rooted in that no matter how much we evolve.”

Reach, their sophomore EP, includes fan-favorite tracks like “By Your Side” and “Unfold,” along with new music that builds on their signature sound. But don’t expect a retread of their earlier work. “We’ve both grown a lot—personally and musically,” Katie says. “This EP stays true to our roots, but there’s more space, more depth. We wanted to create something that feels both nostalgic and fresh.”

Lyrically, the project leans into ambiguity—a deliberate choice that invites listeners to project their own experiences into the music. “Most of our songs could be love songs on the surface,” Katie explains, “but they’re often about our relationship with the music industry, anxiety, or even self-doubt. We love that people can interpret them in their own way.”

Paperwhite’s creative process is deeply intentional. Melodies often come first, shaped by chords and phonetics that feel right in the mouth and soul. From there, lyrics are crafted with care and nuance. “It’s like solving a puzzle,” Katie says. “Some vowel sounds just beg for certain words. It’s not just writing—it’s sculpting.”

Despite their analytical approach, the duo still leaves room for spontaneity. “By Your Side,” for example, came together in a single day before being shelved for years. When they rediscovered it, the timing—and the feeling—were finally right.

With Reach on the horizon and This Feeling already resonating with listeners, Paperwhite is poised for a powerful return. “Our goal is simple,” Ben says. “We want to make music that gives people that spark—that magic moment where you just feel something.”

And with each new track, they continue to do exactly that.

You can stream This Feeling now on all major platforms and visit www.paperwhitemusic.com for more. For the full, unedited behind-the-scenes conversation with Katie and Ben, be sure to tune into the Savoir Faire Audio Experience.