It is no secret that I think the Californian sun shines out of Ali Angel's mouth. Every single song she sings is incredible, catchy, cool, sizzling. She looks cool just walking around town, but on the back of a motorbike she's off the charts. Everyone's favourite queer LA-raised motorbiking fire sign, I am sure you will agree. The new one this week is She Says It's Alright.
I have written about Ali before and was more than thrilled when she asked me to take a listen to the new song. The only problem has been not telling you about it prematurely but I am happy to say it is finally out today, July 11th, and my wife's birthday!
PAUL DETTMANN
This song hits you from that first kick drum intro. The guitar comes next. It's a song for a convertible car on Wilshire or Ventura, or pillion on a bike. It's quite slow actually, and comes with a groove.
She used to stand all alone, and she was comfortable that way. She finds it easy to make friends until... until... someone came along who didn't want to make small (or large!) changes. Ali always wanted to hold her own reins, but just occasionally needs a little whisper of advice or encouragement, nothing more than that.
Oh babe I've been feeling uptight
She says that it's alright
She says that it's alright
I'm in a hot rage burning like a heatwave
She can cool me just fine
She say's that it's alright
Sherman Oaks is name-checked in the song and UK readers might need the little note that Sherman Oaks lies in the San Fernando valley which is where Ali grew up. It is the “valley” that people refer to so often in LA. I thought at one point Ali was singing something very different to "Sherman Oaks" but I promised not to repeat that observation.
This is a very simple love song to Ali's girl. It is perfect for a hot summer day. There are no hidden meanings, metaphors or similes to addle your sweaty mind. It does what it promises and more, and is a wonderful first single from a new body of work.
People have said that it sometimes sounds like Ali is singing, “Jesus Says It’s Alright” when she performs this song live, and honestly, she says "that’s totally fine by me because I think Jesus would say it’s alright."
In her own words, Ali says that:-
"She Says It’s Alright" is a love-fueled, cowbell-smacking anthem that blends retro soul, indie twang, and classic rock 'n roll charm. With warm guitar riffs and clever nods to the city of Angels that raised her, Angel delivers the perfect summer road trip song. Lyrically, it’s a tender ode to her girlfriend, who’s rescued her mid-car crisis more than once in Los Angeles and always knows how to cool her road rage down without dimming out her fiery spark.
I have had to wait so many weeks to tell you about this song, and it's a really strong single on the road to her new album, Is This Really Happening? which is coming on October 24th. October seems like an age away but I cannot wait for those cooler nights as well as this amazing collection of songs.
You can catch Ali May Angel at all kinds of venues around LA and further afield and you can read more on her own site. She has a funny TikTok account and she shares posts on Instagram regularly.
