What I love most about this weird little recc I get to write each week, is that I just get to gush about who I love. I love… love! Anyway, seeing as we all probably feel as though our worlds are somewhat closing in on us at the moment, Alice Phoebe Lou’s album Paper Castlesgives us a breath of fresh air, offering a window into the worlds of ourselves. Which, I consider to be rather important right now.
Alice Phoebe Lou is South African born, yet found her musical feet in Germany. She began busking on the streets of Berlin, post attempts at a fire-dancing career, filling public spaces with her enchanting blues yet indie-folk style. Her songs are doused with shrills, shrieks and sweetness. ‘Something Holy’ is truly something holy, celebrating the true bliss of being touched by a fellow beautiful human (probably a bit too nostalgic in our current social climate, sorry!). ‘Skin Crawl’ exists at the other end of the spectrum, it’s a ‘fuck-off-ratty-hands-don’t-touch-me’ angry kind of song. And, as it should be. Finally, ‘New Song’, captures the true bliss of living big within the ordinary. As a wise flat-mate once told me, happiness exists in the mundane. I think Paper Castles will bring you immense pleasure if you listen, but mostly I want it to bring you hope for the wonderful, delicious and magnificent moments we will experience beyond this uncertain time.