A high-flying Macclesfield band have released their second EP of the year.

Cassia, who bring tropical vibes and cultural significance to Macclesfield, have also dropped their new single Slow to go with the Magnifier EP.

On Monday, the opening track of the EP was named 'Hottest Record in the World' by BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac. The music video for Slow also released.

Cassia is frontman Rob Ellis from Prestbury village, bassist Lou Cotterill from the Moss Estate, and drummer Jake Leff of Tytherington.

Slow was co-written with Dan Edinberg, who has worked with highly-acclaimed American rapper Anderson .Paak.

Rob spoke to Macclesfield Nub News about the new single - which like all of the EP - was penned during lockdown.

"When working on 'Slow', everything felt like it was standing still, which was overwhelming," he said.

"Even though the sun was out, it was difficult to find any sense of enjoyment in the everyday.

"I ended up daydreaming a whole heap, thinking of when we were on tour and things were like they used to be.

"I think you only realise what you've got when stuff gets taken away from you and that's what fuelled the idea for this tune."

In writing frankly about the strangeness of the past year, Cassia have found a way to move through it – not by pretending that everything's fine, but by making space for uncertainty.

Despite the reflection, there is plenty of time to dance on the new EP. Right There, a song about a long-distance relationship in these times, is particularly groovy.

The release of Slow and the Magnifier EP follows February's Powerlines EP.

Unfortunately, the boys no longer live in Macclesfield, but hold a fondness for their hometown.

Cassia currently live in Berlin, where they recently celebrated England's football victory over the German's.

"Moving to Berlin and not being able to go out meant we basically just locked ourselves in, built a studio and slept there for a month," Rob added.

"We had a lot of time on our hands to pick ourselves apart, which explains why these tunes are the most introspective tracks we've released so far - it all went a little loopy after a couple of weeks [laughs].

"I guess it's rare for a bunch of lads from Macclesfield to have an opportunity to move away, especially to somewhere like Berlin and be told, yeah you can go write and record all day, so we went a bit nuts with it.

"It really gave us a sense of purpose when everything else kind of broke apart."

Over 416,000 people listen to their music every month on Spotify alone.

The EP will send them over 35 million streams on Spotify, an incredible feat for the Macc trio.

Earlier in the year we spoke to the band, and they gave a thank you message to the people of Macclesfield.

They confessed to forming the band at The Society Rooms pub on Park Green, along with other local Macclesfield stories.

You can also follow Cassia on Apple Music, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and their website.

They also have almost 8,000 subscribers on YouTube where the music video for their new single Slow premiered. It can also be viewed above

You can also listen to Slow at the top of this article, or the full Magnifier EP via this link.

Every track on the EP has a music video, having all been previous singles in 2021.

A very limited 10" transparent orange vinyl release of the EP will be coming on September 17. You can own a piece of Macclesfield music history and pre-order yours from £10 here.

Macclesfield Nub News congratulates the boys on their international success, and release of the new EP.

The Macclesfield musicians will play a (sort of) homecoming show at the Manchester Ritz, on November 5. A gig that is almost certain to go ahead with the lifting of coronavirus restrictions within the UK.

Tickets can be bought here.

Please consider signing up for Macclesfield Nub Voice, a platform which allows you to have your say on the issues in our town, and our country.

You can find more about Nub Voice here, and sign up here.

Please also follow Macc's online newspaper on your favourite social media platform.

You can find us on Facebook or Twitter.