London-based LGBTQ+ artist Al Coffey returns with his new single “nice meeting you, again” – a cinematic, emotionally raw release that pairs intimate storytelling with effortlessly accessible melodic writing.
Written by Coffey alongside producer GETH, the track draws its emotional weight from a deeply personal place: Coffey’s relationship with his grandfather and the gradual impact of his mental decline. Built on delicate piano lines, soft synth accents, and hazy atmospheric textures, the production forms a pillowy sonic bed that allows Coffey’s reflective vocal delivery to sit at the forefront. The result is a restrained but powerful piece that lingers long after it ends.
At its core, “nice meeting you, again” explores the heartbreak of being repeatedly forgotten by someone you could never forget yourself. Through its gentle pacing and understated arrangement, the song captures the quiet devastation of memory loss, turning a deeply private family experience into something universally resonant.
Speaking about the track, Coffey reflects on his visits with his grandfather and the stories that remain constant even as recognition fades: “I still go and sit with him and listen to the same stories over and over, about his childhood dog, working on the Tyneside docks, falling in love. When I was younger, he used to tell me the same stories, but he knew who I was then. Now he often says ‘nice meeting you’ when I leave. The song became my response to that. Although you forgot my name, it was nice meeting you, again.”
Coffey has quickly become part of a new wave of LGBTQ+ voices shaping contemporary pop, having transitioned from writing poetry and songs privately to pursuing music full-time during the 2020 lockdown. He later refined his craft through a Songwriting Master’s at Tileyard Education, graduating in 2021 with a clear artistic identity.
His growing profile has been supported by BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio, alongside press support from outlets such as Wonderland, Earmilk, and The Line of Best Fit. Performance highlights include work with House Gospel Choir at major events including Meltdown Festival at Southbank Centre, ITV’s ITV National Lottery New Year’s Eve broadcast, and DAZN’s coverage of Chris Eubank Jr vs Conor Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Alongside collaborations with French dance act Ofenbach and rising producers including Adriano Desire and michelangelo.mp3, Coffey has also written internationally in Helsinki with Elements Music, appeared regularly at Queer Edge London, and built a growing audience of over 8,000 on TikTok—cementing his status as one of UK pop’s most emotionally compelling emerging voices.
