Carlita Just Dropped ‘Rising Up’ with Cleo Simone — And It’s the Dance-Pop Track We’ve Been Waiting For

If you’ve been keeping tabs on the global electronic music scene over the last few years, you already know Carlita doesn’t really play by standard genre rules. The Turkish-Italian DJ, producer, and multi-instrumentalist has built a massive following by blending everything from Anatolian rock textures and Italo-house to deep, hypnotic techno.

Now, with her single “Rising Up” (featuring London-based singer-songwriter Cleo Simone), Carlita is showing off a whole new gear.

Released via the iconic Ninja Tune record label as a central pillar of her album Telepathy, “Rising Up” hits that elusive sweet spot: it’s built on genuine club roots, yet packed with the kind of infectious pop songwriting that makes you want to hit repeat on your morning commute.

Here is a deep dive into why “Rising Up” is making waves across dance floors and radio airwaves alike, how the collaboration came together, and where it fits in Carlita’s rapid rise to global dance music stardom.

Leftfield Pop Meets Club Realism: What ‘Rising Up’ Actually Sounds Like

A lot of modern dance-pop tracks suffer from the same problem: they strip away all the raw, interesting parts of electronic music to make something safe for daytime radio. Carlita takes the exact opposite approach on “Rising Up.”

Rather than dialing back her underground sensibilities, she uses them as the canvas.

The Production Breakdown

The track opens with textured, warm synth pads before dropping into a driving house groove anchored by a thick, analog-sounding bassline. Listen closely, and you’ll catch the subtle live instrumentation layered into the mix—a nod to Carlita’s background as a classically trained musician who plays cello and piano.

The soundscapes feel layered, organic, and intentionally dynamic:

• The Rhythm: Crisp kick drums paired with rhythmic percussive flourishes that give the track an immediate, head-nodding bounce.

• The Synths: Bright, melodic synth lines that peak during the chorus without ever sounding harsh or overly digital.

• The Arrangement: A traditional pop song structure (verse-chorus-verse) wrapped in long-form, atmospheric builds straight out of a late-night DJ set.

Cleo Simone’s Soulful Vocal Work

A track like this lives or dies by its vocal performance, and Cleo Simone delivers in a big way. Reconnecting with Carlita after their standout 2024 collaboration “Planet Blue,” Simone brings a soulful, effortless quality to the mic.

Her voice glides over the heavy low-end rhythm, anchoring the track’s emotional core. Instead of shouting over a massive festival drop, Simone’s nuanced delivery keeps the song feeling intimate, human, and genuinely euphoric.

The Story Behind the Collaboration

Carlita’s evolution from underground tastemaker to international festival headliner has been one of the most exciting runs in electronic music. But Telepathy represents a clear milestone in her artistic direction—a project designed to merge her wide-ranging musical influences into cohesive, long-form songwriting.

Bringing Cleo Simone back into the fold for “Rising Up” was a natural step. Their ongoing creative partnership highlights a shared intuition for creating music that bridges different worlds:

“Working together again allowed us to skip the awkward warm-up phase,” Carlita has noted regarding her work with Simone. “We both understand how to balance heavy club rhythms with vocal melodies that stay in your head for days.”

By releasing the project through Ninja Tune—a label famous for pushing boundaries across electronic, hip-hop, and experimental music—Carlita secures a platform that respects both her club underground cred and her crossover pop ambitions.

Track Overview & Release Info

If you’re building out your latest house, dance-pop, or chill-vibes playlist, here are the core release details to keep in mind:

3 Reasons ‘Rising Up’ Deserves a Spot on Your Playlists

Whether you’re a longtime house head or just looking for refreshing soundscapes to spice up your daily listening, here is why “Rising Up” stands out in this year’s crowded release slate:

1. It Proves Crossover Dance Music Doesn’t Have to Feel Cheap

Many crossover tracks rely on recycled hooks and predictable drops. Carlita avoids those traps entirely. The production remains gritty and deep enough for a 3 AM festival set while staying catchy enough to hold its own alongside mainstream pop radio tracks.

2. The Chemistry Between Artist and Vocalist is Real

Cleo Simone isn’t just a guest feature tacked on for stream numbers—her vocal delivery is woven into the arrangement itself. The back-and-forth between her melodies and Carlita’s synth lines makes the song feel like a true duettist collaboration between producer and vocalist.

3. It Signals a Major Milestone for Carlita

If you’ve only known Carlita for her high-energy DJ sets at Circoloco, Coachella, or Ibiza, “Rising Up” shows off a whole different side of her artistry. It proves she’s not just a master of reading a crowd from behind the decks, but a talented composer capable of writing timeless songs.