The evolution of an artist is rarely a straight line, but for Perth/Boorloo producer Ben Pisano, better known as Santa Fe, 2026 marks a definitive turning point. Having spent over a decade honing a signature sound that once leaned heavily into the sun-drenched, lo-fi grit of surf rock, Pisano is shedding his old skin. Today, we are thrilled to bring you an exclusive premiere of his latest offering, ‘Undercut (ft. Caitie Jayde)’, twenty-four hours before it hits streaming platforms.
While early listeners might remember the jangly, guitar-led vibes of tracks like ‘Summer’, ‘Undercut’ introduces a sophisticated, indie-pop aesthetic that feels both fresh and timeless. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Tennis and Twin Shadow, the track swaps distorted swells for vibrant piano melodies and a rhythmic pocket that breathes with a new-found groove.
The secret weapon here, however, is the collaboration with vocalist Caitie Jayde. Her soulful, crisp delivery provides the perfect foil for Pisano’s meticulous production, elevating the track from a mere bedroom pop experiment to a polished piece of contemporary pop.
Lyrically, the song doesn’t shy away from the heavy lifting. It’s an honest exploration of social dynamics and the stifling nature of stagnant relationships. Pisano shares: “’Undercut’ is about being around people who don’t allow you to reach your potential. It’s usually because you value different things, and I think you need to be around people who let your strengths shine through.”
This emotional transparency is mirrored in the technical craft. Recorded in Pisano’s own home studio, the track maintains a sense of "close-mic" intimacy—as if the listener is perched on a stool in the corner of the room. This DIY ethos is balanced by professional polish, with mixing handled by Jeremy Smith at Labsix and mastering by Dan O’Connor at EncoderSound.
With over 350,000 streams and a history of soundtracking surf films, Santa Fe has already proven he can capture a mood. But with ‘Undercut’, he is capturing a moment. It’s a bold, emotionally raw reintroduction to an artist who refuses to stay still.
You can stream the new single above ahead of the official release tomorrow, and for more, be sure to join Santa Fe on Instagram, Facebook, and Bandcamp.
