It’s been a minute since we last received new music from Alex the Astronaut, but more than a year removed from the release of her debut album, The Theory of Absolutely Nothing, the acclaimed artist has returned with her new single, “Growing Up”.
A fitting track to arrive following the sort of time that we’ve all collectively experienced over the last two years, “Growing Up” sees Alex ruminating on the notion of widespread uncertainty, with the track itself being born out of the sort of confusion that the global pandemic brought with it.
“I was all spinny and I, as everyone, wanted someone to tell me that the apocalypse happening around us was going to be perfectly okay in the end,” explains Alex. “But no one could answer any of my questions, or tie anything that was going on into a neat bow.”
Though her debut album arrived in August of 2020, the uncertainty of the world resulted in touring being halted, with Alex instead choosing to spend the time writing. Unfortunately, things didn’t quite go to plan, eventually turning to snorkelling in an attempt to not only relax, but also find a space away from the stresses of the modern world. Soon enough, “Growing Up” appeared before her.
“Writing music had become stressful, so I started going to the beach and snorkelling around with the fish,” explains Alex. “One afternoon I was snorkelling and thinking about my questions and my friends, and it came to me that it’s just like the handbook idea. That at some point, everyone is kicked in the head with the realisation that there is no handbook and no answers – we’re all in this without training wheels and we just have to keep swimming together. That’s what ‘Growing Up’ is about.
“When I got home, I sat down on my floor where I write all my songs and wrote the whole song in less than a day,” she adds. “Writing songs and meeting some colourful fish definitely exceeded all my expectations of how I’d spend to spend my days as a grown up.”
Described as her “favourite, most honest song I’ve written”, Alex the Astronaut’s latest single comes alongside the news that she’s signed to Warner Music Australia for the next step in her career.
“I’m really excited to be working with a group of people who are so passionate about music,” explains Alex. “Everyone is so skilled and amazing it’s like working with the music team equivalent of The Avengers. I’m so excited to put the best music I can out with them.”
“I’m really excited to welcome someone as talented as Alex the Astronaut to the Warner Music family,” adds Warner Music Australasia President, Dan Rosen.
“I have been a fan of Alex for some time and have sung along with thousands of others to her brilliant songs as she performed at concerts and festivals around the country. With already so much achieved in her career, we are looking forward to being part of this next exciting chapter.”
While it remains to be seen whether this is the first taste of a new body of work, Alex is set to give the track the live treatment it deserves soon, with appearances booked for Dylan Alcott’s Ability Fest later this month, and for Sydney’s King St Carnival in January. Full tour details are available below.
Alex the Astronaut’s “Growing Up” is out now via Warner Music Australia.
Alex the Astronaut 2021/22 Festival Dates
Saturday, November 27th, 2021
Ability Fest, Melbourne, VIC
Sunday, January 16th, 2022
King St Carnival, Sydney, NSW
