Alice Phoebe Lou Releases New Single "The World Above" and Announces Fall Tour with Clairo

photo by Bob Greco

South Africa-born, Portugal-based singer-songwriter Alice Phoebe Lou has unveiled her first single since 2023’s critically acclaimed Shelter. Titled "The World Above," this release coincides with the exciting news of her upcoming fall tour supporting Clairo.

Recorded between Tropico Beauty in Los Angeles and Freedom Studio Infinity in Tokyo while on tour, "The World Above" is a global effort in both its creation and its universal themes. The track features Alice’s hopeful lyrics, which serve as a self-reflective metaphor about emerging from difficult times, supported by celestial keys and cascading guitars. Accompanied by David Parry on guitar, Dekel Adin on bass, and Ziv Yamin on drums and keys, Alice continues her tradition of artistic independence with Parry producing the track.

“This song feels like a hand reaching down and pulling me up from the abyss, helping me rise to the surface after a difficult time,” Alice shares. “I wrote it in a moment of intense self-reflection as I began embracing who I am, loosening from the grips of addictions and feeling as though I am enough. It's a celebration of self and acknowledgement of the paradox of our depths and darkness as well as our infinite lightness.”

Earlier this week, Alice announced that she and her band would be hitting the road with Clairo from late September to early November. The tour will feature thoughtfully selected, intimate venues where both artists can fully showcase their artistry. The tour will culminate in Alice's own headline show at New York’s Brooklyn Steel.

Alice Phoebe Lou’s fifth album Shelter is about “forgiving the world and forgiving yourself” to create a safe haven. She started her musical journey as a busker after moving from South Africa to Berlin in 2012, falling in love with the self-determined lifestyle. Over the years, Alice has learned to trust her instincts and write without fear of judgment.

Her debut album Orbit was released in 2016, marking the beginning of her music career. By 2019, Paper Castles had established her as a musician to watch. In 2021, Glow and its surprise follow-up Child’s Play allowed Alice to explore deep, personal themes that resonated with her audience. “Those two albums felt like a reckoning,” she says.

By contrast, Shelter is a celebration. “It’s much more self-assured and direct,” Alice explains. The album captures moments of a second coming-of-age and continues her mission to show the beauty in vulnerability. Alice remains fiercely independent, hoping to inspire young people to pursue happiness unconventionally.

Alice Phoebe Lou's new single "The World Above" and her upcoming tour with Clairo promise an exciting chapter in her musical journey. Fans can look forward to an intimate and profound experience as she brings her heartfelt music to life on stage.

Click here to stream "The World Above".