Cover photo credits: © Mattie Vant
When Alice Costelloe, the London-based indie-pop singer-songwriter, released her debut solo EP So Neurotic in September 2023, she established herself as a bold new voice in the world of music. Building on her experience as half of the critically acclaimed shoegaze duo Big Deal and live bassist for Superfood, Alice was already a seasoned artist. But So Neurotic hinted at something more—something raw, personal, and unmistakably hers. With her second solo EP, When It’s The Time, released on November 1st via Moshi Moshi Records, Alice delves deeper into the complexity of human emotion, tackling themes of mortality, desire, and life’s fleeting nature, all while further refining her sound.
From the outset, When It’s The Time feels like a natural progression in Alice’s artistic journey. The EP is a far cry from her past collaborations, offering a more mature and introspective take on indie-pop and art-pop. A shift in both sound and perspective, it marks a departure from her earlier work, revealing an artist who has not only evolved but embraced the freedom that comes with creating music on her own terms.
Themes of mortality, desire, and the absurdity of Life
If there’s one unifying theme throughout When It’s The Time, it’s the inevitability of endings. Whether it’s the end of a relationship, the end of life, or the potential end of the world, Alice approaches these ideas with a reflective, yet surprisingly witty lens. The EP is, in her own words, a contemplation of “desire to dance or drink a glass of wine with someone, but also desire to figure out how to make yourself a better life in a world that often feels apocalyptic.” It’s an album about the absurdity of existence—the tension between the mundane and the momentous.
The opening track, “I Never Dance”, sets the tone for the EP, blending Alice’s signature introspective lyrics with a playful sense of vulnerability. The track, which leans heavily on electronic influences, was written during a bout of flu, and its creation is tied to a sense of delirium that Alice describes as reminiscent of an intense crush. “That delirium of a fever really reminded me of the feeling of having an intense crush,” she reflects. In this sense, the song takes on an almost surreal quality—an exploration of desire and the unexpected moments of connection that define our lives. As Alice recounts, the track brings to mind her first encounter with her partner at a Halloween party—a night of dancing even though neither of them would claim to be natural dancers.
“I Never Dance” is a perfect encapsulation of Alice’s approach to songwriting on this EP: a fusion of lightheartedness with moments of depth and introspection. The pulsating synths and smooth, layered instrumentation create an atmospheric backdrop to Alice’s witty, yet heartfelt lyrics. There’s a sense of liberation in the song, as if Alice is embracing the absurdity of life with open arms, dancing through its chaos.
The themes of desire and fleeting moments continue throughout the EP, with tracks like “When It’s The Time” and “Blow Me Away” delving into the complexities of human relationships, yearning, and the fear of change. These are not just songs about love or lust—they’re explorations of how desire manifests itself in a world that is constantly shifting, where every connection feels both intensely meaningful and fleeting.
The sound
One of the standout features of When It’s The Time is its sonic evolution. The EP takes a bold step forward in terms of production, blending elements of indie-pop, art-pop, and electronic music. The soundscapes throughout the EP are rich and expansive, but there’s also a minimalist quality that allows the lyrics to take centre stage.
Much of this sonic development can be attributed to Alice’s collaboration with esteemed producer Mike Lindsay (known for his work with Laura Marling and Anna B Savage). Alice has spoken in interviews about how working with Lindsay expanded her horizons, not just in terms of songwriting, but also in how she approached the creation of the record. As she notes, “This record opened up my eyes to a whole different way of doing things, not just sonically but also in terms of how to actually enjoy making a record, to have fun with it.”
This sense of playfulness and freedom is evident throughout the EP. Tracks like “Desire” and “Blow Me Away” have a light, almost ethereal quality to them, but there’s also a sense of weight—of carrying something profound beneath the surface. The stripped-back production gives the songs room to breathe, with synths and sparse percussion filling the space without overwhelming the intimate atmosphere Alice creates. There’s a distinct sense of texture and movement in the production, which elevates her raw, emotional lyrics.
It’s also worth noting how Alice’s vocals sit perfectly within these arrangements—her voice is soft but powerful, capable of evoking a wide range of emotions from vulnerability to resolve. There’s a certain rawness to her delivery that makes her songs feel like confessions, as though she’s revealing pieces of herself with every line. And yet, there’s a charm and wit in her lyrics that keeps the mood from becoming too heavy or introspective.
The art of collaboration
As Alice herself mentions, working with Mike Lindsay was a key factor in how When It’s The Time came to life. The collaboration allowed her to explore a new approach to songwriting and production, with Lindsay’s “treasure chest of synths” and unorthodox methods helping her push boundaries. Alice speaks about how their work together was liberated from expectations and constraints—there was no pressure to conform to a particular sound or genre.
This creative freedom is evident in the EP’s structure. Each track feels like a playful experiment in genre and style, from the pulsating synths of “I Never Dance” to the almost spoken-word delivery on “Blow Me Away”, which takes on a dreamy, cinematic quality. It’s clear that Lindsay’s presence as a producer encouraged Alice to explore new sounds and push herself beyond her comfort zone, resulting in a collection of songs that feel both experimental and deeply personal.
A confident step forward
Ultimately, When It’s The Time feels like a significant leap forward for Alice Costelloe. It’s a record that encapsulates both the fragility and beauty of life, offering a unique perspective on the complexities of human emotion. Alice’s sharp wit and astute observations are the backbone of this EP, but it’s her ability to convey these thoughts with such sincerity and warmth that makes When It’s The Time truly stand out.
For listeners familiar with Alice’s previous work in Big Deal or her debut solo release, So Neurotic, this new EP feels like a natural progression. It’s an exploration of new sounds, new ideas, and new facets of her artistry, all while maintaining the essence of who she is as a musician. The collaboration with Mike Lindsay has clearly opened up new possibilities for Alice, and When It’s The Time is all the richer for it.
In many ways, When It’s The Time is an EP about embracing life’s uncertainties—whether it’s the end of something or the thrill of the unknown. It’s a record about desiring more, about dancing even when we don’t know the steps, and about finding meaning in the moments that often feel fleeting.
With this EP, Alice Costelloe proves that she is not only an artist to watch but one who is unafraid to evolve, take risks, and carve out her own space in the indie-pop landscape. When It’s The Time is a testament to her growth, and it’s exciting to think where she might go from here.
When It’s The Time is available now, and Alice will be performing at Paper Dress Vintage in London on November 7th. Make sure to check out this incredible artist before she becomes a household name.
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