NEW MUSIC: ALICE MERTON | HERO & ISLAND

Alice Merton found big success with her 2017 breakthrough single “No Roots,” which continued with her 2019 album "Mint." This year she’s returned with new music, including the apocalyptic hit “Vertigo” that mirrored the feeling that your sense of stability is slipping through your fingers like sand. Today, she’s returned with two new tracks that follow Merton’s enlivened sense of self, titled “Hero” and “Island,” which is the follow-up to the apocalyptic hit “Vertigo” that mirrored the feeling that your sense of stability is slipping through your fingers like sand. The former is a tug-of-war between wanting to save someone and block them from your mind completely. Merton’s voice is veiled behind a vocoder as synths prance around her in the background. But this track has a hard shell, recalling the punchy reflective pop songs of Christina Aguilera or Kelly Clarkson. “Island,” filled with remorse and determination to make things right, resides at the other end of the spectrum from its counterpart. Here is what she said on releasing two tracks, "I decided to put out two songs, partly because I see “Island” as the prequel to “Hero.” I keep thinking if “Hope” was a spectrum, “Island” and “Hero” would be at opposite ends. “Island” showcases a desperate need for survival, whereas “Hero” confronts a realistic and slightly pessimistic fate, waving the white flag and admitting to its defeat."