Two of the most prominent voices in Australian music have come together for one of the year’s most vital singles, with Georgia Maq teaming up with Alice Ivy to share the euphoric “Someone Stranger”.
Having released a full-length solo album back in 2019 by way of the mesmerising Pleaser, Camp Cope guitarist/vocalist Maq proved just how versatile they are as an artist, swapping their rock roots for something more based in the dance-pop world. The result was nothing short of majestic, with fans undoubtedly wondering when Maq would again return with music in the same vein.
Now, these fans have received their answer by way of “Someone Stranger”, a collaborative effort with Alice Ivy. Premiering on triple j overnight, the three-minute track is a sensational effort from two of the most tireless advocates for non-male representation in their conventionally male-dominated genres of choice.
An immersive electronic number, “Someone Stranger” sees Maq’s signature vocals front and centre, musing on topics of “loneliness, desire, the need for connection and the therapeutic potential of dancefloors”.
“Annika and I knew we wanted to make a song together so we made the time and in about three hours we had pretty much finished ‘Someone Stranger’,” Maq said in a statement released alongside the single.
“I write lyrics really quickly when I feel I have to and Annika creates amazing melodies so it just worked really well together. The song is very much open to interpretation, but personally it’s about purging romance through movement.”
Structured like a traditional dance-pop number, sweeping chords and thumping four-on-the-floor drums soon give way to immense synth lines and a euphoric chorus as Maq urges, “Touch my body, I feel something“. Equal parts intimate and explosive, “Someone Stranger” is a testament to the immense talent possessed by both artists.
“I feel like Georgia and I have always been destined to write together, so I was super excited when we finally got the chance last year,” Alice Ivy explains. “I played her a little demo I had kicking around and she immediately started writing lyrics for it.
“I loved how fast-paced the whole experience was! I think we were both thinking, ‘Let’s make this a song we’d wanna hear in a club!’. Georgia’s voice is so incredible, it was cool just being able to just write a massive pop banga with her. Very excited to have this one out in the world!”
While it remains to be seen whether “Someone Stranger” will be the only collaboration fans will see between Georgia Maq and Alice Ivy, it stands tall as one of the year’s most powerful singles, and arguably, one of the most iconic collaborations that we’ll receive this year.
Georgia Maq’s “Someone Stranger (feat. Alice Ivy)” is out now.
