Story by Sofia Treviño, photos by Teresa Ciocia
“God, it must be hard, Having your first original thought,” belts Alessi Rose. “But you’ll always be you, and I’ll be a star.”
Following the summer release of her third EP, “Voyeur,” the 23-year-old from Derby, England, dropped three new tracks on November 7 as part of the deluxe edition. Rose, who opened for Tate McRae’s Miss Possessive Tour in October, previously supported the European leg of Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism Tour.
Opening for some of the biggest musicians today, Rose is emerging as a pop star in her own right. “Voyeur (Deluxe)” catapults her into the dance-pop genre. The original melodies of “Voyeur” detail a feverish lusting over someone undeserving of the attention.
”You’re my poster boy lover, tilt my head to the ceiling,” hums Rose on opener “Same Mouth.” “On my knees like I’m praying, ‘Cause I know I’ma need it.”
The lines reveal Rose’s tendency to elevate a romantic interest to a God-like pedestal, and she journals down intimate observations she makes of them. Her ability to incorporate visual storylines into her songs gives them the feeling of diary entries.
On “That Could Be Me,” Rose veers into pop-punk territory, with grungy, early 2000s guitar riffs. The lyrics encapsulate the crushing feeling of watching someone you’re infatuated with be wrapped up in someone else. Rose chants every painful moment she’s seeing — from making out on the sofa to hands on another’s waist — imagining herself in the role.
The original EP closer, “Dumb Girl,” takes on the feeling of self-deprecation, detailing the foolishness of getting involved with someone who has multiple options. “You give me an inch, I’ll give everything,” she apologetically croons, which serves as the throughline in the EP. Rose knows someone isn’t good for her, but continues diving in. These confessions make her music relatable because who hasn’t been there?
With the deluxe additions, Rose bookends the original EP with three dance-pop tracks. This is arguably Rose at her best, able to disguise moments she’s felt hurt with glittery synths and catchy hooks.
Rose turns around the EP, starting with “First Original Thought,” a playful tune where she taunts a boy who realizes what he’s lost too late. Groovy ‘80s bass keeps the beat throughout, and Rose mocks the listener with, “Did Jesus tell you I’m the love of your life?” The post-chorus continues the ridicule with cowbell accents echoing an empty-headed ex.
Next is “Get Around,” an anthem enveloping the feeling of a night out with girlfriends and making questionable decisions. Rose is seductive, purring, “I have it on some good authority he gets around/ Well, could he get around, get around, get around to me?”
Rose caps off the EP with “Falling Forever,” which invokes a Kate Bush-like sound: high, smooth belts, punchy drums, and brassy synths. Contrasting with the original EP’s theme of longing, this song flips the script, giving the perspective of the person who’ll always miss Rose instead.
“Voyeur (Deluxe)” captures the emotional flip-flops of a woman in her early 20s, the constant push and pull of failing and trying again. These songs provide relatable lyrics embedded in tracks to dance in your bedroom to. The deluxe tracks show Rose as a chameleon, transitioning from her solemn, guitar-driven sound into the pop world. As she continues to observe the world around her, Rose’s fanbase is steadily growing even without a full album, making her one to watch.
