In the lead-up to her sixth studio album, Oblivion, Alice Phoebe Lou has released her fourth single, ‘Pretender’. A melancholy, stripped-back ballad, its vulnerable and authentic lyrics create a heartfelt tune—a song for those of us who often feel too soft or too naive. If Pretender offers any indication of the upcoming album, we can expect a raw and unapologetic Alice on the 11-track record. Her other released singles, The Surface, You and I, and Old Shadows, align with this message, recurring themes of longing, growing up, and heartbreak.

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Alice’s vocals blend perfectly with her guitar—the softness of her voice and the gentle strings always providing an auditory delight. For Pretender, her voice truly captures the emotions behind each word, especially in the second verse, 

 

‘But feel younger than when I

Pretended to know everything,

Wanted to win rather than learn something.'

 

These words are followed by sweet vocals and soft ad-libs that only emphasise the longing in her lyrics. Phoebe Lou’s ability to evoke emotion with just her voice and guitar is evident in the brief moments of instrumental and vocal interplay. Even the pauses between verses feel emotional and raw. The song reaches its emotional peak in the second-to-last verse,

 

‘But I am more than my defences,

I'll break them all down.

I've made promises to myself, and I intend to keep them.’

 

Alice’s voice feels most raw here, truly allowing the listener to feel their emotions. The final lyrics conclude the song with a dramatic flourish, revealing the uncomfortable truth of being a young woman—that regardless of how you see yourself, despite everything, you must choose to love yourself.

 

‘If I could love myself

Even when I wanted to be someone else,’

 

The singer has spoken of her folk acoustic influences, which come as no surprise. Her dreamy vocals and authentic lyrics evoke early folk icons like Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez, with her influences evident in her vocal tone and gentle guitar strumming.

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For fans of Phoebe Bridgers and Laufey, Alice Phoebe Lou creates music for the misunderstood girlies who like to cry in their rooms, read books a little too much, and take pictures of every sunset. If Pretender is your first impression of this South African singer-songwriter, now is the perfect time to explore her discography before Oblivion, her sixth studio album, which is set for release on all streaming platforms on October 24th.