Singer-songwriter Alessi Rose has opened for some big names – from Dua Lipa to Noah Kahan to her upcoming slot on Tate McRae’s tour. On top of that, the 22-year-old English performer recently played her first American headline show at the Moroccan Lounge in Los Angeles and has a viral hit, with “oh my” reaching over 7 million streams on Spotify. Rose brings an edgier take to a trendy aesthetic and a fresh voice in a landscape oversaturated with diaristic pop music – something reaffirmed by the release of “Voyeur.”
“Same Mouth”
This song opens with a soft, subtle sound, but the lyrics are neither. Provocative and self-deprecating in its honesty, “Same Mouth” explores the ambiguity and emotional confusion that comes with mixed signals from a romantic partner. It’s an opening track that introduces Rose’s dark sense of humor, with a bridge charged with suppressed frustration and an ultimate acceptance of her own impending doom.
“Take It or Leave It”
“Take It or Leave It” is the core of “Voyeur.” It stands out sonically from the rest of the EP, with an intro that almost sounds like church bells and the dramatic, building chorus of a pop hit. Its lyrics feature a tumultuous mix of self-deprecating comments, witty language and unrestrained declarations about the all-consuming nature of her obsessions. “I’ll give you brutal honesty,” she promises. And she delivers.
“Everything Anything”
In “Everything Anything,” the final single off the project, Rose presents the contrast between her worship of a relationship compared to her partner’s dismissal. This is an experience she has explored through the lens of her Catholic upbringings, as she discussed in an interview with NME Magazine. “When you are so devoted to a god, you’re giving so much energy, and maybe sometimes you’re not getting the energy back. When I am going through the process of crushing on someone, there is so much energy invested into this thing, and who knows if it even exists,” Rose said. The exploration of rejection from a romantic interest is not an original concept, but she brings a dry, matter-of-fact tone to elevate the song’s character.
“Stella”
Rose’s choice of song title resembles that of fellow artists of the same genre, like “lacy” by Olivia Rodrigo and “Amelie” by Gracie Abrams. The more folksy feel of this track also follows this trend, but Rose is able to put her own spin on the concept. Although slightly repetitive, this song is beautiful in its raw simplicity. “But sometimеs the girls just aren’t nice,” Rose sings with snarky resignation. It’s a break from her focus on heartbreak and an insight into her perspective on dynamics influenced by jealousy, competition and insecurity.
“That Could Be Me”
If an intrusive thought could be represented by a song, it would be “That Could Be Me.” Intrusive thoughts are unwanted, often disturbing thoughts or images commonly associated with obsessive-compulsive disorder, a condition Rose has frequently explored in her music. Rose can’t help but picture her former partner with someone else, using detailed lyrics to create a graphic depiction of what could have been. It’s a song with strong punk-rock influences – one meant to be screamed in the car with the windows rolled down.
“RIP”
“RIP” is a display of Rose’s dark sense of humor at work. She seems to be analyzing a partner’s shady behavior, wrestling with a perceived desire for meaningful connection hindered by promiscuity and lack of trust. She makes fun of her muse for this contradiction and equally criticizes herself for continuing to pursue the connection. “If you’re gonna kill me, do it completely,” Rose sings. Sonically, “RIP” takes after “That Could Be Me” with more of a rock instrumentation, but not quite as catchy and definitely more pessimistic.
“Bittersweet”
“Bittersweet” shifts the storyline to a more upbeat note, though just as introspective. The song features stripped-down, fast-paced acoustic guitar paired with a dreamier vocal part. It feels like it could have been the EP closer. The lighter feeling of the song is a relief after heavier, more intense tracks. Within her internal turmoil, this track is a glimpse into a more healed outlook on the themes explored.
“Dumb Girl”
This final track touches on many of the ideas from “Voyeur.” But it also nods back to some of the sounds and themes from Rose’s previous EP, “for your validation,” as if it’s the jaded older sister of “oh my.” Throughout this project, Rose has demonstrated growth in her artistry, greater range in her songwriting and a stronger sense of musical identity. But with “Dumb Girl,” she is back in her natural element.
When she performed in LA for the first time at a small show at the Moroccan Lounge, Rose still seemed like an obscure, up-and-coming artist. Her days of relative obscurity seem like they will be coming to an end with the release of “Voyeur.”
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Featured Image via Alessi Rose Official Store
