Alice

The song delves deeply into the agonizing reality of high-functioning depression and suicidal ideation. Through the persona of "Alice," Lorette explores the exhausting burden of masking one's true emotional state to conform to societal expectations. The central theme revolves around profound alienation—feeling entirely isolated even when physically surrounded by friends and acquaintances.

The lyrics highlight the tragic irony that those closest to the narrator are completely blind to her suffering, engaging in mundane arguments while she battles for her life internally. The name "Alice" likely serves as an alter-ego or a metaphor, perhaps alluding to a sense of being lost in an incomprehensible, distorted reality, much like the famous literary character in Wonderland. The chorus delivers a raw, desperate wish for death ("want to live in the sky") paired with a sharp critique of performative empathy. The narrator rejects the anticipated "fake cries" of her peers, pointing out the hypocrisy of people who ignore the living but loudly mourn the dead. Ultimately, the song is a poignant commentary on mental health invisibility, self-hatred, and the desperate yearning for peace and authenticity in a world that feels superficial and unobservant.

The song opens with the narrator sitting in a crowded room, surrounded by people who were once familiar but now feel like complete strangers. This immediate sense of alienation sets the tone for a deeply personal confession. She speaks of actively destroying any evidence of her vulnerability, desperately trying to hide her perceived weaknesses because she fears being labeled a "freak" by those around her. Addressing a "dear reader" or listener, she candidly admits to hating every single part of herself and questions the exhausting charade of pretending to be okay.

She asks if the listener has ever felt the crushing weight of not belonging while being forced to wear a persistent, fake smile throughout the day. She describes the haunting sensation of being physically present but feeling as though she has already faded away and died internally. The narrative reveals a deep disconnect with her social circle. She mentions that her friends make her sick, particularly when they engage in trivial or toxic conversations, such as talking "shit about politics," completely oblivious to her severe internal struggle.

Nobody notices that she is far from being okay. Exhausted and unwilling to fight anymore, she just wants to run away from it all. She then explicitly introduces herself as "Alice," stating bluntly that she wants to die and escape to "live in the sky." In a heartbreakingly cynical plea, she asks the people around her not to bother faking tears or grieving when she is finally gone, because she is acutely aware of when people are lying. The song is a raw, unfiltered plea of a soul feeling entirely disconnected from the living world, trapped in a cycle of silent suffering and longing for the ultimate release. The narrator feels like a ghost witnessing her own life, pleading for an end to the hypocrisy and the internal agony.

Lorette is an independent emerging French artist and singer-songwriter who frequently shares her creative process on platforms like YouTube. She candidly describes her emotional songwriting routine as "crying in front of my keyboard" ("J'écris des chansons en chouinant devant mon clavier"), highlighting the cathartic nature of her work.

"Alice" was officially released on March 13, 2026, alongside an official music video on her YouTube channel. The track quickly gained traction on streaming platforms like Anghami, Gaana, and Apple Music as part of her early discography, which also includes singles like "on se regarde". The song's stripped-down, confessional style reflects Lorette's intimate approach to music, turning her personal battles with mental health, feelings of inadequacy, and social disconnect into a resonant indie pop ballad. While Lorette is French, she chose to write and perform "Alice" entirely in English, allowing the universal themes of depression and isolation to reach a global audience.

The song utilizes a conversational rhythm that mimics the flow of a personal letter or a diary entry. The rhyme scheme often features AABB or AABB patterns in the verses (e.g., weak/freak, belong/long, alone/gone, sick/politics). These simplistic, almost nursery-rhyme-like cadences contrast jarringly with the dark, mature themes of suicide and depression, enhancing the unsettling innocence of the "Alice" persona.

The rhythm features pauses and hesitations, mirroring the breathing of someone who is emotionally exhausted or on the verge of tears. The interplay between the steady, melancholic musical beat and the slightly irregular lyrical meter creates a sense of tension—the tension of trying to hold oneself together when falling apart.

Musically, the song relies on a somber, acoustic-driven indie pop arrangement that underscores the vulnerability of the lyrics. Lorette's vocal delivery is intimate and fragile, creating a confessional atmosphere as if she is whispering a secret to the listener.

Literarily, the song employs direct address, speaking both to a "Dear reader" and to the people in her life, breaking the fourth wall. The use of blunt, unembellished language contrasts sharply with typical pop music metaphors, providing a shocking, raw honesty. The juxtaposition of mundane reality ("talking shit about politics") with life-or-death internal struggles highlights the disconnect the narrator feels toward everyday life. Rhetorical questions invite empathy and universalize the highly specific pain being described.

Released in early 2026, "Alice" quickly resonated within indie pop and alternative music communities, particularly among listeners who relate to themes of mental health, depression, and neurodivergence. As an independent artist, Lorette leveraged platforms like YouTube and streaming services to connect directly with her audience, finding a dedicated following among those who appreciate raw, unfiltered songwriting. While it serves as an underground, introspective track, its impact lies in its authentic representation of the hidden struggles of high-functioning depression, contributing to a growing movement in modern pop music that destigmatizes discussions around mental illness.

The song relies on several powerful metaphors to convey its dark themes:

• The Name "Alice": By introducing herself as Alice, the narrator adopts a persona. This symbolizes a dissociation from her own identity due to trauma, acting as a literary nod to Alice in Wonderland, representing a girl trapped in an alienating, nonsensical world.
• "Living in the sky": A clear euphemism for death and seeking escape from worldly pain. It contrasts the heavy reality of the earth with a desire for ethereal lightness.
• "Burning every proof": This illustrates the active process of masking depression. She methodically destroys evidence of her vulnerability, showing deep-seated shame.
• The "Crowded Room": Symbolizes profound isolation. Despite being physically surrounded by people she once knew, she feels completely alone.
• "Faking cries": Symbolizes the superficiality of societal grief and performative empathy.

Several motifs anchor the song's emotional weight:

• "Want to live in the sky": This recurring hook serves as the core emotional anchor, emphasizing the persistent and inescapable nature of the narrator's suicidal ideation.
• "Faking cries" and "I know when people lie": This motif highlights her deep distrust of the people around her and her hyper-awareness of social superficiality.
• "Dear reader" / "Dear": The epistolary framing device appears repeatedly, giving the song the intimacy of a suicide note or a secret journal entry.
• "I'm not okay": A recurring admission of her true state, standing in stark contrast to the smile she physically performs for society.