Lee Cole explores resilience and self-discovery on new single

South African singer-songwriter and producer Lee Cole closes out a milestone year with the release of his new single, Palace of Dreams. The energetic pop track builds on the success of his long-running radio hit Mine, one of the Top 100 most-played songs on South African radio this year.

How the track took shape
Cole began the song with a striking synth line that shaped the track’s direction. As he added guitar, drums and layered harmonies, the sound developed into something he describes as free and explorative. Palace of Dreams reflects the tension between fear and personal growth. “Sometimes you want to run from a situation,” he says. “But you also know the struggle will help you grow.”

A shift in sound and style
The single marks a shift in Cole’s sound, with bold use of synth textures and stacked vocals. A saxophone outro adds a fresh edge and signals his drive to push beyond familiar territory.

A message about staying true to yourself
The track’s bridge reinforces its message of inner strength. “It’s about not doing what everyone else expects,” he says. “When I say ‘don’t go, everybody’s waiting’, it warns against stepping into a space where people try to direct your choices.”

A year of major achievements
This release follows a year of standout moments. Cole performed before tens of thousands as the opening act for Robbie Williams at the Calabash festival in Cape Town and Johannesburg. He won Best Male Singer (English) at the Afri-Indie Awards and secured multiple number one radio chart positions. His singles garnered over 40,000 plays on South African radio, reaching a national audience of more than 190 million listeners. He also appeared on the main stages at Rocking the Daisies, The Durban July, and the Sunset Music Series.

Lessons that shaped Palace of Dreams
Cole says Palace of Dreams captures the biggest lesson of his year. “I learnt to relax and stop forcing things. When you let go of expectations, momentum comes naturally.”

What’s next for Lee Cole
He joins Prime Circle’s 25th Anniversary Tour from December 2025 to May 2026, performing alongside Tree63, The Blackcat Bones, Cantrel and others.

Palace of Dreams is out now on all streaming platforms.
Listen here: https://vmgafrica.lnk.to/PalaceofDreamsAr
Tour dates: https://leecolemusic.com/shows.html