Not sure how Alex Winston has managed to escape my ears for as long as she has but she has my attention now. While this young singer/songwriter has put her music on the internet in the past, the recently released “Careless” marks her official debut. Taken from her forthcoming, as-yet-untitled album (due Spring 2015 on 300 Entertainment), “Careless” has already taken the blogosphere by storm with Stereogum calling it “SUPERB,” praising the tune and citing it as an example of Winston’s gift for writing “big, meticulously crafted pop songs.” Considering how crowded the pop music marketplace is these days, it’s hard for a singer to stand out, so for a buzzy tastemaking site such as Stereogum to commend Alex Winston—not only on her voice but on her songwriting skills as well? Well, that must be the ultimate compliment for an up and coming artist. Stream “Careless” BELOW and download it (iTunes | Google Play | Spotify).
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I first heard the name Alex Winston when I learned that my girl LOLO was playing a PopGun/Wild Honey Pie show with her at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City. Unfortunately a conflict kept me away from the show, but the songs I sampled online stuck with me, namely “101 Vultures,” “Velvet Elvis,” “Sister Wife” and her trippy cover of “Heartbeat,” originally performed by FEMME.
This past year has been a bit of a whirlwind for Winston, jetting back and forth between New York City, Los Angeles and Detroit working on her upcoming album. While traveling could easily be a chore for some, for this budding talent, it’s an opportunity. “I really like meeting new people and hearing their stories. I think that’s why I like traveling alot,” she explains. Being in a constant state of flux also serves as a creative catalyst for the this burgeoning pop star. The songwriting bug bit Alex Winston in high school and ultimately lead her to the decision to skip college. While Winston’s first LP, King Con incorporated elements from her experiences living life and traveling, for the most part it was influenced by third-party sources…books, documentaries and the like. On her new record, Alex takes a deeper dive inside herself. According to Winston,
“I’ve never been comfortable writing songs about myself. Its always been easier for me to tell stories, so I wasn’t used to being as vulnerable, but I had to be during writing. I felt like I was doing myself a disservice not making the album personal because I’ve had a few tumultuous years.”
“Careless” is first product of Winston’s inner exploration and a sign of what we can expect on her forthcoming album. “It’s about being uninhibited and stepping outside of myself. I get in my way A LOT.” In addition to Winston’s approach to songwriting changing, so too has her abilities as a songwriter and musician, gaining confidence with each new notch on her songwriting belt. I am beyond excited to hear more from Alex Winston. Her voice is so fluid—soft and breezy at times; fierce and fiery moments later. While I agree with the common Kate Bush comparison, Winston is totally her own musical being. Heap on all the comparisons you like, Alex Winston is an original—definitely One To Watch.
To celebrate the release of “Careless,” Alex Winston will be playing a special headlining show at Neon Gold‘s Popshop in New York City on January 22nd (Buy Tickets). Joining Winston, none other than Music Is My King Size Bed fav Tove Stryke and up and fellow up and comer Chelsea Lankes—I already got mine so I’ll see you guys there!
Download “Careless” now or snag it February 10th when it’s released as a 7″ (with B-Side, “We Got Nothing“) on Neon Gold Records.
Check Out Alex Winston online:
Official Site || Facebook || Twitter || Instagram || SoundCloud