Alice Phoebe Lou - Paper Castles FLAC album

Alice's sophomore album Paper Castles was certainly worth the wait, it is a beautiful and ethereal collection of songs that represent who she is, capturing the essence of her journey so far. It didn't surprise me to find out that it was recorded live in studio together with all the musicians, it has that kind of feel to it, that cohesiveness that many modern albums lack when they're pieced together and forced into place. This album incorporates a variety of genres, everything from funk and jazz influences to electronica and obviously the folk-pop sound that she is known for. It's nice that she didn't stay in her comfort zone creatively, an example is "My Outside" where she explores the higher notes instead of her patented low-range technique, while breaching into a sensitive subject that many are afraid to acknowledge or be honest about. Throughout the album she touches on sexuality, relationships, society's demands, sensitivity, freedom, letting go. There are many layers, not only in music arrangement but the depth of her words, which offer outstanding replay value. My favorite tracks are "Galaxies", "Something Holy", and "My Outside". I also enjoyed the new rendition of "Ocean" but it seems a bit out of place with these new tracks -- nonetheless, it deserves a proper facelift as it is a very powerful song in it's delicacy. I'm excited to see her future growth as an artist, she has a very unique perspective, talent for writing, and vocal discipline, and now with more musical tools now at her disposal she will be well-armed for reaching her potential.