EP Review: Alice-Lily - 'Players, Parties & Platonic Love'
Alice-Lily delivers a jazzy ode to love and friendship with her latest project, Players, Parties & Platonic Love, a record brimming with warmth, nostalgia, and undeniable charm.
The Norwich/London artist fittingly released the EP on Valentine’s Day, a perfect occasion to celebrate the people she cherishes. Expanding on her signature style, she embraces a bigger, jazzier sound than we’ve heard from her before, blending rich instrumentation with heartfelt lyricism. It’s a project that feels both intimate and expansive, capturing the highs and lows of relationships; romantic, platonic, and everything in between.
“The night is young, the football’s on, the game’s not done for ages.”
Alice captures the immortal feeling of youth as an endless game, an experience everyone can relate to. Her effortlessly soulful vocals evoke a sense of contentment, wrapped in the simple joy of being young and present in the moment. It’s this carefree energy that pulses through the record, offering a deeply personal yet universally relatable listening experience.
The EP’s closing moments reinforce this spirit. Peace Not Problems manifests a life free from the ever-mounting stresses of adulthood, embracing the ease found in friendships. A bass-heavy, R&B-inflected track, it marks a tonal shift from the sun-soaked melodies heard earlier. Its dark, textured sound builds to a cathartic crescendo, led by a commanding guitar solo, as Alice’s silky vocals rise above the storm of instrumentation, delivering a powerful and poignant exit. It’s a song that demands attention, showcasing her ability to weave emotion into every note.
The project as a whole feels like a three-tiered cake, layered with big, spongy songs dripping in serotonin, iced with sweet, light interludes that maintain its steady, coming-of-age narrative. Every track is carefully placed, creating a journey that ebbs and flows with an organic, lived-in feel.
Yet, Players, Parties & Platonic Love isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. A subtle melancholic undercurrent runs through the record, adding depth to its warmth. Sentimental is the perfect example. Its layered vocals and soaring brass section carry a fleeting sense of looking back on the past, evoking both the joy of those moments and the sadness of knowing they’re gone. It’s a song that balances nostalgia and lightness. It is just as suited for quiet reflection as it is for a carefree afternoon spent with friends, its melodies washing over the listener like waves of memory.
The EP’s lead single, Sunshine Lullaby, is a glowing centerpiece that perfectly embodies Alice-Lily’s ability to craft feel-good, nostalgic soundscapes. With warm horns, shimmering keys, and an infectious groove, the song radiates pure joy. Her vocals gently sway between intimacy and grandeur, creating a lullaby that feels both soothing and celebratory, like the golden haze of a summer evening. It’s a moment of pure escapism, where the worries of the world melt away in the glow of music.
With Players, Parties & Platonic Love, Alice-Lily takes a beautifully mature step forward, flaunting her jazz-inflected skills in a heartfelt celebration of love, friendship, and youthful bliss. This EP proves her ability to balance playfulness and introspection, crafting a sound that feels timeless yet deeply personal.
Words by Adam Mir
