Continuing to open her treasure trove of hidden storytelling from the past decade, globally adored singer-songwriter Alice Phoebe Lou releases “The Surface,” an acoustic gem that gently peels away the layers of guarded emotion. Told in reverse, the track unfolds like a rose, revealing the heart in all its vulnerable beauty.
“The Surface” is a stream-of-consciousness love song about the deep and contradictory feelings that rise up when exploring a connection with someone you feel strongly about. It starts at the end, when someone is finally all in.
It speaks to the hardships endured to arrive at a place of promise, connection, and trust. With just voice and guitar, the song is stripped down and bare—allowing the emotional core to shine through.
Returning to the Heart of the Song
In April, Alice made her first fully self-produced release with the tender “You and I.” She shared that these are songs that didn’t make it into previous albums—some she never thought would see the light of day.
Alice Phoebe Lou described the process as a brave and thrilling journey of recording songs as they are, with love, simplicity, and playfulness.
Taking inspiration from timeless acoustic records by Nick Drake, Joni Mitchell, and Leonard Cohen, she leans into imperfection while staying true to her voice.
You can stream/download “The Surface” HERE.
From Busking to Sold-Out Shows
Alice Phoebe Lou recently performed three sold-out nights in Los Angeles before opening for Remi Wolf at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. She is now on a sold-out European tour, playing magical shows across the continent. In 2024, she also joined Clairo on the strikingly intimate Charm Tour, mixing in her own headline performances.
These stripped-back love songs return to the busking simplicity of her early Berlin days, but the songwriting reflects a newfound maturity and emotional clarity—showcasing a woman stepping into her own radiance.
A Decade in Germany, a New Chapter Ahead
Having now reached 2.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify, Alice is preparing to leave Germany after a transformative decade. She began her journey playing guitar on Berlin’s street corners, honing her songwriting and building an international fanbase from the ground up.
Alice Phoebe Lou says her time in Germany shaped who she is and that busking laid the foundation for everything she’s done. Her new music reflects the closing of a meaningful chapter and the beginning of something new, filled with promise and artistic freedom.
Alice Phoebe Lou Embraces a New Era of Vulnerability and Artistic Freedom
By taking control of her own production and diving into emotional honesty, Alice Phoebe Lou is reconnecting with her creative core. These new songs feel necessary, exploring past chapters with openness while setting the stage for what’s next.
Alice Phoebe Lou describes this phase as one where sharing her heart in a playful, gentle, and vulnerable way matters more than striving for perfection. Being open, she says, is both painful and beautiful—and ultimately, it brings gratitude for where she’s been and where she’s going.
Watch this space for updates in the Music News category on SA Music Zone.
To stay in the loop with all things SA Music, Subscribe to our newsletter or if you're looking for something to do, check out our SA Gig Guide.
If you like what we do and you want to support us, feel free to buy us a coffee!
Want to discover fresh music? Follow our editor's 2025 playlist on Spotify or YouTube Music. These playlists are updated regularly.
Take control of your online privacy and access content from anywhere with NordVPN - the trusted choice of millions. Whether you're streaming, browsing, or shopping, NordVPN keeps your data secure and your connection blazing fast. Don’t wait — protect yourself today and get up to 70% off your NordVPN plan!