Let’s fall through the post-pop rabbit hall with Los Angeles new waver Madge and her new single ‘Alice’. Opening with slasher flick effects, the track launches into a playground rhyme, until at last Madge’s sugary vocal interjects the obscure imagery of her own warped story. The first line of ‘Alice’ introduces you to Madge’s creativity which is as magical as it is dark, like a Grimm’s fairy tale with the Disney interpretation stripped out: “When I first heard your steps on the ground, thought that I had imagine the sound, the rustle that came from your gown, and the trickle of blood all around.” The whole track is full of music elements spanning decades - old school hip-hop beats, ‘90s R&B whine synth, grunge-pop guitars, fluttering flute, clipped acoustic guitar refrain, (Cheshire) cat meows, traffic sounds, and even more that our mortal ears can’t quite detect. Collectively, this wild collage is a breath of fresh air and is sure to reform many a listener’s idea of what’s possible in pop. - Hannah Thacker