Why Alice Phoebe Lou Is One of Indie Music’s Most Underrated Artists

Words: Josh Fundafunda

For a while now, I have been trying to get my parents into using streaming services because, despite their stubbornness, I know they will get good use out of it. One evening as I am introducing my mum to streaming playlists titled ‘Made for You’, we come across a song called “Something Holy”.

I could not quite put my finger on it at the time, but it ticked boxes I did not know I needed ticking. A quick 40 minutes later and I had listened to my first Alice Phoebe Lou album, Paper Castles, and knew I had found a new favourite artist.

The South African-born singer-songwriter and instrumentalist is currently based in Berlin and has become one of the most distinctive voices in independent alternative music.

"Free from the pressure of rigid release schedules or commercial expectations, her music feels deeply personal and unrestricted..."

Since the time of my discovery, she has released multiple albums alongside a growing catalogue of singles and collaborative projects, with her discography stretching back to the early 2010s.

Her dreamy blend of indie, folk and alternative music feels refreshingly different in an increasingly crowded genre. Yet despite consistently releasing exceptional music, there still feels like surprisingly little conversation surrounding Alice Phoebe Lou compared to many of her contemporaries.

Who Is Alice Phoebe Lou?

Photo: Jonathan Kope

One of the most compelling aspects of Alice Phoebe Lou’s music is the complete independence behind it. Without the backing of a major label, everything from touring and promotion to festival appearances has largely been organised independently by Alice and those closest to her.

That independence has become central to her identity as an artist. Free from the pressure of rigid release schedules or commercial expectations, her music feels deeply personal and unrestricted. It allows her to evolve naturally, experiment sonically and release projects when they truly feel complete.

"That sincerity is perhaps why her fanbase continues to grow organically despite relatively limited mainstream attention..."

In an era where so much music feels manufactured for algorithms and virality, Alice Phoebe Lou’s catalogue feels refreshingly authentic. That commitment to creative independence increasingly feels like one of the defining characteristics of modern alternative music, particularly amongst artists building devoted audiences outside traditional industry structures.

That sincerity is perhaps why her fanbase continues to grow organically despite relatively limited mainstream attention.

The Independent Spirit Behind Alice Phoebe Lou’s Music

Her independence has also allowed space for side projects and collaborations that further expand her sound. One of the most interesting examples is strongboi, a duo between Alice and keyboard player Ziv Yamin.

The pair began releasing music sporadically from 2020 onwards before eventually releasing their self-titled debut album. While Alice Phoebe Lou’s signature alternative sound remains present, strongboi leans further into dreamy synth-pop textures and layered electronic production.

The result feels playful, atmospheric and effortlessly cool, sitting somewhere between dreamy synth-pop and a more fragmented style of modern alternative production where texture often takes precedence over conventional song structure.

Fans of artists like Men I Trust will likely find plenty to enjoy here, while Alice’s distinctive vocals continue to ground the music emotionally.

That same sense of intimacy and organic storytelling can also be found within a new generation of artists reconnecting with folk traditions and acoustic instrumentation while still feeling distinctly contemporary.

Glow Review: Alice Phoebe Lou’s Most Emotional Album

Photo: Elliot McKee

Soon after discovering Alice’s music, she released Glow - an album that remains, in my opinion, her strongest and most emotionally affecting work to date.

The record blends melancholic guitar work, jazz-infused instrumentation and occasional punk-inspired bursts of energy, reflecting a broader shift towards improvisation, warmth and musical looseness across contemporary alternative music.

Her songwriting throughout Glow is remarkably intimate, often feeling more like overheard thoughts than carefully constructed lyrics.

"The track itself is beautifully restrained, allowing her soft vocals and delicate instrumentation to carry the emotional weight naturally..."

The title track immediately establishes many of the album’s central themes. Opening with the line:

“I dance with myself like there is nobody else in the world”.

Alice frames self-acceptance not as triumph, but as an ongoing and often uncomfortable process.

What makes Glow so compelling is its ability to balance vulnerability with warmth. Even during its heavier emotional moments, the album never becomes overwhelmingly bleak. Instead, it feels reflective, human and deeply sincere.

“Mother’s Eyes” and Themes of Self-Acceptance

One of the standout tracks on Glow is undoubtedly “Mother’s Eyes”. The song sees Alice Phoebe Lou reflecting on years spent attempting to become versions of herself that never quite fit.

Her lyric about “trying to squeeze into boxes that didn’t fit all of me” captures a feeling that feels universally relatable, particularly within the album’s wider themes of identity and emotional freedom.

The track itself is beautifully restrained, allowing her soft vocals and delicate instrumentation to carry the emotional weight naturally.

It is one of the clearest examples of why Alice Phoebe Lou’s songwriting resonates so strongly with listeners searching for something more vulnerable and authentic within modern indie music.

That emotional honesty feels increasingly central to a newer generation of songwriters who prioritise vulnerability and personal storytelling over polished perfection.

Child’s Play and Alice Phoebe Lou’s Softer Sound

Photo: Jonathan Kope

Later that same year, Alice unexpectedly released Child’s Play, surprising fans with a project that felt noticeably warmer and lighter in tone than Glow.

Where Glow often leans into solitude and introspection, Child’s Play feels softer, brighter and more playful. Warm acoustic guitars drift between tracks while Alice’s vocals remain effortlessly intimate throughout.

Tracks like “Silly” showcase her ability to write about connection and infatuation without ever becoming overly sentimental. Even at its most cheerful, there is still emotional depth quietly lingering beneath the surface.

"Much of that growth has come organically through live performances, word-of-mouth discovery and dedicated fans sharing her music across independent music communities..."

At times, the album edges towards more melancholic territory. “End of the Road” in particular stands out as one of the project’s most emotionally affecting moments, built around uncertainty, longing and self-reflection.

Yet the record ultimately closes on an uplifting note with the title track “Child’s Play”, whose extended guitar outro feels perfectly suited to the closing moments of a nostalgic indie film.

Why Alice Phoebe Lou Deserves More Recognition

Paper Castles Album Cover: Mikey Burey

2021 remains the last major release cycle we have seen from Alice Phoebe Lou under her primary stage name, although her relentless touring schedule continues to grow her audience internationally.

Much of that growth has come organically through live performances, word-of-mouth discovery and dedicated fans sharing her music across independent music communities.

What makes Alice such a fascinating artist is not simply her music, but the way she has built a career entirely on her own terms. In an industry increasingly dominated by short attention spans and algorithm-driven trends, her work feels patient, deeply human and creatively uncompromised.

There is also something aesthetically timeless about her work - an atmosphere built on softness, nostalgia and emotional texture that feels remarkably close to the dreamlike visual world Steve Hiett became known.

While mainstream recognition may still lag behind the quality of her music, it increasingly feels like only a matter of time before Alice Phoebe Lou receives the wider attention she deserves.

For readers drawn to artists who place introspection and personal perspective at the centre of their songwriting, there is an entire corner of independent music continuing to thrive beyond mainstream visibility.

For those still discovering her music for the first time, there are few modern indie artists whose catalogue feels as rewarding to dive into.

All photos via One In A Million Media