Alice Merton: Crafting resilience, melody and meaning

From Berlin beginnings to global acclaim, Alice Merton’s third studio album marks her most personal and daring work yet.

Singer-songwriter Alice Merton released her eagerly awaited third studio album, Visions, on 16 January 2026. For an artist whose journey has spanned continents, genres and the shifting tides of the music industry, her latest album is a testament to the power of self-belief, creative autonomy and the pursuit of authenticity as the story of Alice Merton is one of self-determination, of making home wherever she finds herself and weaving those experiences into her music. Her rise to international stardom began with the explosive success of the indie-pop anthem No Roots, a track that resonated with listeners around the world and racked up over a billion streams. Having spent her childhood moving between England, Germany, Canada and beyond, Merton grew up without a fixed sense of home, a theme that pulses at the heart of the song.

Since No Roots, she has released two acclaimed studio albums, MINT and S.I.D.E.S., alongside viral EPs and performances at festivals as iconic as Coachella, Lollapalooza and London’s BST Hyde Park. But with her new album Visions, Merton signals a new era, one where she takes the reins as both artist and producer. “I just always loved singing,” she reflects, her voice tinged with the matter-of-fact certainty of someone who has found her path. “At first, I actually wanted to pursue opera. I was really in love with it, but then I discovered songwriting at the age of 17 and took a different road.” For Merton, music was never simply a career choice; it was a natural force, a means of expression that transcended language and borders.

Her journey has not been without its hurdles. In the notoriously selective world of record labels, Alice Merton found her initial offers elusive. Rather than wait for the industry to catch up with her vision, she took matters into her own hands and founded Paper Plane Records Int. – a move born of necessity but now a source of pride. “I’d say, in general, founding a record label is something I’m proud of,” she says. “At the time, nobody wanted to sign me, so it was more of a last resort. But now, I think it’s so important that artists can keep their rights and benefit from them.”

Visions is suffused with this very spirit of independence and resilience. The album dives deep into themes of self-determination, creative risk-taking and the courage to push through moments of doubt. “The creative vision and the ups and downs that come with it. That’s the central theme,” Merton explains. “It’s about what you go through in the process, the days you don’t want to do anything, the days you achieve so much, the doubts and questions you ask yourself. And this indescribable love for a certain project that you can’t really explain.”

The seeds of the album were planted during a pivotal conversation with someone close to her, an exchange that challenged her perspective and led her to reflect on the nature of vision itself. “She didn’t understand why I did things a certain way,” Merton remembers, “so I started thinking a lot about the concept of visions and being able to see things others can’t. That blind trust, when you really listen to your gut, when you’ve got nothing else to rely on. The obstacles you face trying to realise your vision, all those moments when you ask yourself, ‘Why am I even doing this?’ – that was all swirling in my head. So, naturally, I wrote an album about it.”

Visions album cover.

To realise her creative ambitions, Merton embarked on a journey that spanned studios in London, Los Angeles and, most notably, the breathtaking landscapes of Iceland. The remote Flóki Studio became a creative sanctuary for her and her collaborators. “It was the perfect place to concentrate wholly on the vision for this album,” she enthuses. “It’s so secluded and offers the most stunning scenery I’ve ever seen. The magic of the studio was palpable everywhere.”

Seven of the album’s 13 tracks were crafted in Iceland, a setting that left a noticeable imprint on the music’s mood and atmosphere. “I recorded a large part of the album in Iceland,” Merton says. Her connection to the country deepened during a television project with ZDF’s Soundtrip. “I fell in love with the country and wanted to go back to the studio where we’d been, but this time for my own project.” The landscape’s endless roads and sense of seclusion became both muse and metaphor, inspiring tracks like Joyriding.

Among the album’s highlights is the first single, Ignorance is Bliss. The song’s journey from a simple piano composition to a dynamic, genre-blurring anthem reflects the album’s experimental edge. “We first wrote it at the piano, but people didn’t like it so much. Then we added a baseline, some guitar, a bit of rock, and spent two hours making the song more exciting. After that, everyone loved it.” Merton’s willingness to embrace collaboration and iterative creativity shines through: “It’s always a process. The journey is the exciting part, and where you end up is always a surprise.”

Other standout tracks include the poignant Landline and the reflective On the Wire. Collaborations with established producers and songwriters such as Dan Smith (Bastille), Jenn Decilveo (Miley Cyrus, Chappell Roan), Paul Whalley (Heron EP), James Dring (Gorillaz) and Rich Cooper (CMAT) bring texture and depth to the album’s sound. Yet, at its core, Visions is unmistakably Merton; rockier and more experimental than her previous work, but still imbued with the pop sensibility that made her earlier releases so irresistible.

Live performance has always been a cornerstone of Merton’s artistry, and with Visions, she has crafted songs with the stage in mind. “With this album, I thought a lot about the live experience, about having moments where people can really feel and stomp along and clap, and just experience the live feeling,” she shares. “That definitely played a role. I think that’s also why it’s a bit rockier, because I love playing in clubs, not always soft songs, but also more rock tracks.” The anticipation for her March tour is palpable, as she looks forward to connecting with fans in real time. “I’m most looking forward to those moments when you feel connected to the fans, when you notice they know the lyrics and sing along. Those are the moments I look forward to.”

Despite her international outlook, Merton’s roots remain an important part of her story. She’s quick to point out that it is the people and experiences, rather than the place itself, that have shaped her music. Her time in Berlin was tinged with adventure and uncertainty, fuelling the inspiration for her first EP and album. “It was an exciting time, that feeling of not knowing what will happen. I drew inspiration from that.” Relocating to London was a dream realised, motivated both by her love of city life and the desire to be closer to family. “I always lived in the city, and it was always a dream for me. My parents also live near London, so I wanted to be closer to family.”

Resting and recharging are as vital to Merton’s process as creativity itself. Iceland, Tenerife and Cape Town are among her favourite places to unwind and rejuvenate. Her approach to the future is refreshingly relaxed, embracing uncertainty and possibility. “I just let life come to me,” she says with a smile.

At its heart, Visions is a bold record of persistence, vulnerability and finding strength in uncertainty. “Every album is a journey, and I hope that for listeners, it’s a journey of self-development. I want them to see that no journey is ever simple, and life has a lot of highs and lows.” Through her songs and story, Alice Merton extends a hand to anyone navigating the unpredictable twists of their own lives, offering not just melody but meaning, and the assurance that, wherever the road leads, it is worth following your own vision.

Alice Merton live:

1 March Berlin, Kesselhaus

2 March Cologne, Kantine

3 March Bielefeld, Lokschuppen

4 March Frankfurt, Zoom

6 March Prague, Rock Café

8 March Stuttgart, Im Wizemann

9 March Munich, Technikum

10 March Budapest, Akvárium Klub

12 March Milan, Santeria Toscana 31

14 March Luxembourg, Den Atelier

16 March Paris, La Maroquinerie

18 March Manchester, Amber`s

19 March Bristol, Exchange

20 March London, Village Underground

22 March Hamburg, Fabrik

23 March Leuven, Depot

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