Just Alice – Wait (2024)
Just Alice’s debut single, ‘Wait’, comes in anticipation of her EP that will be released through Youngblood Music. ‘Wait’ is upbeat and confident as it skips its way through the anxieties of a relationship that seems to have trouble finding itself. But rather than wallow in the uncertainty of waiting, ‘Wait’ plants a flag and proudly claims the ground for hesitant lovers everywhere.
‘Wait’ starts in a jerky acoustic rhythm that gains energy with a four-on-the-floor beat and builds to the chorus. As the song moves through its structure, a quiet bridge comes along, giving the song’s mood a subtle contrast. Electric guitar sneaks in here and there along with backing vocals and other instruments that almost disappear into the background. No element is in danger of eclipsing the others, but that’s part of the song’s charm, making ‘Wait’ the property of its lead vocal.
Just Alice is the moniker for Alice Laffan, a singer-songwriter from the Irish Midlands. Laffan’s voice is sweet, light, and melodic bearing the inevitable comparison to Taylor Swift, but Laffan’s charm is a foil for a voice that bears the melody out through strength of tone rather than affectation. This is probably because a deeper inspiration for Laffan’s music comes from the late Lorraine Maher, an Irish singer and songwriter who was a contestant on You’re a Star. She was also one of Laffan’s primary school teachers, sparking Laffan’s passion for music. Hearing Maher’s voice and treatment of the Irish ballad ‘Ragland Road’ makes one realize where Laffan’s real inspiration comes from.
The downside to ‘Wait’ is that the song was poorly recorded. There isn’t a lot of definition or clarity so many of the parts sink into a digital morass that doesn’t sound intentional. By contrast, the drums are clear and sparkling, causing one to wonder if perhaps time or budget constraints (which are not necessarily the artist’s fault) affected how some of the parts were set down. With an EP in the works, we hope Laffan can find a way to record her music that elevates it instead of diminishing it.
Find out more about Just Alice on her official website, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Spotify.
