The first time I listened to Alice Phoebe Lou was when her song “Witches” went viral. Later, I fell in love with her music when she opened for Clairo, and I’ve been obsessed with her soft, yet piercing voice ever since.
Beyond her solo career, Lou is in a musical duo called “strongboi” alongside Ziv Yamin. What started as a lo-fi project has since developed into a band that blends genres like jazz and disco pop. Although the duo’s music is more electronic compared to Lou’s more folky acoustic style, her personality still shines bright in the lyricism of their songs.
To maintain her creative freedom as both a solo and duo artist, Lou self-funds her own releases. She prefers the freedom it gives her over the stability a traditional record deal provides. Her distinct approach has cultivated a loyal fanbase across the world for the South African artist living in Berlin.
On Oct. 24, she released her latest album, “Oblivion.” The record shows a return to her stripped-back, folksy roots. Lou prioritizes authenticity over a complex production. Although she has been producing some of her music for many years, this is her first fully self-produced album. Many of the songs were recorded live to tape without a click track. Lou intentionally kept slight imperfections to maintain a more “natural” sound.
The album opens with “Sailor.” The song reminisces about a past lover returning to familiar “shores.” The return feels too good to be true, and there is a vulnerability in falling in love all over again. The song is stripped back and relies just on Lou’s angelic vocals and an acoustic guitar.
Lou follows with the song “Pretender” in which she reflects on her own lessons of self-acceptance. She has learned to be soft, honest and open while staying true to herself. When asked about writing this album she responded, “I try to tap into how I am feeling even if it’s embarrassing.” She expressed the struggle to create music for herself rather than just releasing music that appeals to a mass audience. One such personal track is “Mind reader,” which describes a relationship that feels one sided. Lou sings of wanting equal emotional vulnerability from the other person without having to guess their feelings.
On “Sparkle,” Lou explains her newfound self-acceptance that has helped her express her own “sparkle.” In the chorus she sings, “If you should see me, as I sparkle in the night, don’t be a fool, it’s not for you, it is for the divine.” The stripped down ballad differs from the previous tracks and focuses on the dreamlike piano.
On the following track, “The Surface,” Lou captures the feelings of going “all in” on a new relationship despite having gone through a past of pain and emptiness. It’s about two people learning to communicate and fully trust one another. There’s a sense of fate as she realizes that every past heartbreak has led to this connection. The stripped back warm instrumentation feels like the influence of musicians such as Joni Mitchell.
The title track “Oblivion” describes a spiritual connection to someone that brings peace after a time of emotional turmoil. The song wrestles with the idea of peace being fragile and finite. Lou realizes how human connection can make everything feel real again. The lyrics in “You and I” are similarly reflective, addressing mutual emotional honesty in a relationship. The singer celebrates the beauty in simply being with someone and not having to be something more than yourself. She emphasizes the importance of openness and communication. The song maintains a gentle, yet hopeful tone toward accepting the past.
Lou sings about struggling to accept a healthy love after being hurt in the past on the track, “Old Shadows.” It’s a song about allowing oneself to open up to someone new after realizing one deserves love. She recognizes that her defensive reactions are a result of old wounds. The song features a melancholic piano and raw vocals, showing a return to her earlier music.
Now open to love, “Darling” captures the feeling of finding a love so deep that it changes everything. It celebrates a genuine connection that makes everything else in the world feel less important. The track features rich and layered vocals, making it feel fluid and harmonic.
“Skyline” paints a picture of letting go of control and fear in life. Lou uses the hustle and bustle of a busy city as a metaphor for how disconnected society can be. The second half of the song shifts to choosing human connection over avoidance. She ends the song singing, “anything could happen next” as she looks toward the future. The album concludes with “With or Without” which repeats the same minimal lyrics.
“Oblivion” feels like both a beginning and an ending. Lou says, “Oblivion leans into the idea of allowing yourself to let things overflow in order to feel them, work through them, and come out on the other side.” The album is deeply introspective and feels like her most emotionally mature yet. Lou’s focus on self-discovery, openness and storytelling feel like the spirit of artists such as Leonard Cohen. At the same time, Lou remains true to the personal sound found on her other records.