Last September, after eight years of touring and three studio albums, relentlessly upbeat pop sensations Alphabeat hit the pause button. Not to worry, the band’s drummer, Troels Møller, tells Popservations. “We’re not splitting up or anything, we just needed to let each other try and explore new things before we continue our journey together.”

Now the results of one member’s exploration away from the Alphabeat fold are ready to be revealed. Co-lead vocalist Stine Bramsen has shared a live version of her debut solo single, “Prototypical,” ahead of its release on January 20. The song was written and recorded with Danish producer Nicolaj Rasted, and is part of an album to follow.

When anyone’s been in a band for a good stretch of time, solo excursions are not without risk. But based on the rollicking, soulful “Prototypical” (with xylophone!), Bramsen’s break from Alphabeat is benefit to us all. Even if I can’t believe Stine could ever be cynical as she sings in “Prototypical,” she’s kickstarting my 2014 quite fantastically.

And here’s the studio version:

Purchase Stine Bramsen – “Prototypical” via her website.