P&P Spotlight: ALANI

Opening your heart to someone is a crucial turning point in one’s life that’s not nearly discussed enough. That’s where breakout singer-songwriter ALANI’s latest single “April Showers” comes in, an ethereal and emotional track about the early stages of romantic relationships. The song originated in a 2022 songwriting workshop, but later took on a new meaning when she revisited it in 2025, following a period of personal heartbreak. By experimenting with soft pianos and minimal production techniques, ALANI filled this track with an intimate, yet passionate sound. 

From the streets of London to NYU in New York City, and informed in part by her French, Lebanese, and Brazilian roots, ALANI’s craft is a product of global influences. The new musical era she’s entering signifies a personal evolution - it’s the beginning of a more self-aware and refined chapter, a balance between radio-friendly, alt-pop techniques with authentic, diary-like storytelling.  

Ahead of the release of “April Showers,” we had the privilege of chatting with ALANI. We’re deeply inspired by her perspective and her recounting of moments that shaped her as an artist. Keep reading for our full conversation with her! 

Image credit: The Syndicate PR, graphic created by Karly Ramnani

YOU'LL LOVE ALANI IF YOU LISTEN TO: Phoebe Bridgers, Gracie Abrams, Lizzy McAlpine, Clairo, Holly Humberstone, The Japanese House, Beabadoobee, Searows

What inspired you to start creating music at seven years old?

I grew up in a really musical household, so music was always around me. My dad played guitar a lot, and he was always introducing me to artists I probably shouldn’t have been listening to that young, like John Mayer. I started singing when I was really little and realized pretty quickly that I loved it. At the same time, I struggled to express my emotions, especially the deeper ones, so writing became a way for me to process everything I was feeling. I would write lyrics while my dad played guitar, and that’s kind of how songwriting started for me.

As I got older, it became more intentional. I started taking piano lessons and used chords to build my own songs, focusing more on how things felt rather than technical perfection. Writing became like journaling for me, a way to say things I couldn’t say out loud. What started as a coping mechanism slowly turned into something bigger, and by the time I was around 13, I knew this was what I wanted to do long-term.

How has your upbringing in London, as well as your French, Lebanese, and Brazilian roots, impacted your artistry over the years?

I feel really lucky to have grown up surrounded by so many different cultures, because they’ve all shaped my music in different ways. Living in London exposed me to a lot of alternative pop, and artists like The 1975 became a big influence. At the same time, my Brazilian roots introduced me to different chord progressions and musical styles through artists like Ana Carolina, which I still find myself using in my songwriting.

Then there’s the French side, which really influenced my love for melody and emotion. Artists like Francis Cabrel showed me how powerful melancholic, romantic music can be, even if you don’t fully understand the lyrics. That idea of letting the melody carry emotion has stuck with me. All of those influences kind of blend together in my music, whether that’s through language, sound, or just the overall feeling I try to create.

How did competing on The Voice Kids UK influence your growth as an artist?

I competed on The Voice Kids UK when I was 13, and it was the first time I had ever performed on a stage in front of that many people. It was honestly terrifying, there were around a thousand people in the audience, and being able to see their faces made it even more intense. But going through that experience at such a young age really shaped me. I had to go through multiple stages to even get to the blind auditions, and I was so proud of myself for making it that far.

When none of the judges turned their chairs, it was a big moment of rejection, especially in such a public way. But instead of discouraging me, it had the opposite effect. It pushed me to keep going and prove to myself that this wasn’t the end for me. I think that experience taught me one of the most important lessons in music, which is resilience. It reminded me that growth takes time, and that rejection doesn’t define your path unless you let it.

In what ways did your time at NYU, especially given New York’s creative scene, contribute to you finding your sound?

My time at New York University was such an important part of my growth, both personally and artistically. I had the chance to work with incredibly talented peers and learn from professors who had real industry experience, which pushed me creatively in ways I hadn’t experienced before. One of the biggest things I took away from that time is that finding your sound isn’t just an individual process, it comes from collaboration. Working with different people exposed me to new genres, songwriting techniques, and ways of thinking that I wouldn’t have discovered on my own.

Being in New York City also played a huge role. There’s such a strong creative energy there that constantly pushes you to grow and evolve. You’re surrounded by artists everywhere, whether it’s in studios, classrooms, or even just walking down the street, and it creates this environment where you feel motivated to become the best version of yourself. That combination of collaboration and inspiration helped me piece together different influences and experiences into something that finally started to feel like my own sound.

Image credit: The Syndicate PR

What prompted you to revisit “April Showers” last year?

I actually started writing “April Showers” back in 2021, but I hit a huge writer’s block. I only had the first verse, and even though I kept coming back to it over the years, I just couldn’t finish it. I had shared that verse with people and even teased it online, so there was this added pressure because so many people were asking me to release it. It was originally meant to be a love song called “April Fools,” but I think I just wasn’t in the right place emotionally to finish it at the time.

Everything changed last year when I had just come out of my first serious adult relationship. I went into the studio planning to record another song, but my manager pushed me to finally revisit this one. Sitting at the piano, it all just clicked. I reimagined the song completely, turning it into a reflection of how a relationship can start beautifully and slowly unravel. What was supposed to be a light love song became something much more raw and honest, capturing the confusion, trust issues, and emotional ups and downs I had just experienced. Once I found that direction, the song came together in a single day.

You’ve described “April Showers” as more refined and self-aware compared to your earlier work. In what ways do you feel your approach or perspective has changed recently?

I think the biggest change has been allowing myself to be fully vulnerable. I’ve always used songwriting as a form of therapy, but before, there was still a part of me that held back. I wasn’t completely ready to share everything or be as open as I could have been. With “April Showers,” I was in such an emotional place that I didn’t have the energy to filter anything anymore. I just needed to be honest.

Because of that, the song feels a lot more raw and self-aware than my earlier work. I wasn’t trying to polish the emotions or make them more digestible, I was just telling the truth as it was. I think that’s what makes it feel more refined in a different way. It’s not about perfection, it’s about clarity and honesty, and being willing to share something real that people can genuinely connect to.

Why did “April Showers” feel like the perfect lead single to introduce your new musical chapter?

I felt like “April Showers” was the perfect way to introduce this new chapter because of how raw and vulnerable it is. A lot of the music I’m working on now focuses on emotions that were left unsaid in the past but are finally coming to the surface, and this song really sets the tone for that. It reflects a level of honesty and emotional depth that I hadn’t fully explored in my earlier releases.

It also introduces the sound I’m moving toward. There’s a sense of maturity in both the writing and the production that feels more aligned with where I am now, not just as an artist, but as a person. In a lot of ways, this song feels like a starting point. It captures everything this new era is about, and it felt right to let people into that space with something so personal.

We love how “April Showers” beautifully details the highs and lows of opening your heart. What inspired you to capture this in a song?

Revisiting “April Showers” came at a time when I had just gone through my first serious relationship, and I was in a really emotional place. I turned to music as a way to process everything I was feeling, and writing this song became a way to make sense of both the highs and the lows. I wanted to capture what it actually feels like to be in a relationship, not just the good parts, but also the confusion, the doubts, and the questions you often keep to yourself.

At the same time, I hoped it would be something other people could connect to. When you’re going through something like that, it can feel really isolating, like you’re the only one experiencing those thoughts. I wanted the song to feel like a reflection of that inner dialogue, especially toward the end, where everything starts to unravel emotionally. More than anything, I wanted listeners to hear it and feel understood, like someone else has put into words what they couldn’t quite say themselves.

"April Showers" album cover. Image credit: The Syndicate PR

Emotionally, where does “April Showers” sit for you? Did writing this song offer reflection or closure in any way?

“April Showers” sits in a really significant place for me emotionally because it truly marked the moment I closed that chapter of my life. I vividly remember writing it and feeling like I was finally letting go of everything I had been holding onto from that relationship. It gave me a sense of closure that I didn’t realize I needed until I had actually put it all into words.

When I released the song, I found myself revisiting those emotions again, which was a bit overwhelming, but also really powerful. It reminded me of how much I’ve grown since then. What feels beautiful about it now is that those emotions no longer exist in my present life—they’re contained within the song. It’s like they live there instead of with me, which shows just how much writing it helped me heal and move forward.

Other than May flowers - can you reveal anything about what we can expect after “April Showers”?

“April Showers” is definitely the most emotionally heavy song I’ve released, so what comes next still carries those themes of expressing feelings that were left unsaid, but in a lighter, more upbeat way. I’m really excited about that contrast, because it shows a different side of me both emotionally and sonically.

There’s a lot more variety coming in terms of mood and energy, and I’ve explored different atmospheres within my upcoming releases. While “April Showers” sets the tone for vulnerability and honesty, there’s still so much more to uncover, and I can’t wait for people to hear how that evolves.

What’s a lyric from “April Showers” that really stands out to you? Walk us through the process of writing it and how it speaks to you personally.

A lyric that really stands out to me is, “guess we’ve got a lot to figure out.” I remember writing that line and having this kind of “eureka” moment. Up until that point in the song, I was mostly focused on everything going on in my own head, the questions, the doubts, and the confusion I was feeling during the relationship. But that line shifted everything for me.

It was the first time I really acknowledged that it wasn’t just about the other person having things to work through, but me as well. I had to confront the fact that I chose to stay in something that wasn’t healthy, and that realization felt both heavy and freeing. It’s a kind of clarity that doesn’t come easily, but once it does, it starts to answer all the questions you have been asking yourself. That is why it felt so important to include, because it captures a level of self-awareness that really defined that experience for me.

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“April Showers” marks a turning point in ALANI’s musical trajectory, as she explores the ups and downs of young love with a sincere yet reserved perspective. She wears her heart on her sleeve as she recounts personal experiences, yet does so through a universal lens that allows any listener to reflect on the track and see themselves in it. We’re already captivated by the way she writes and sings of love, blurred boundaries, and the tension between expression and restraint, and are beyond excited to be entering this new era with her. We can’t wait for more music from ALANI in this style, but in the meantime, check out this playlist we’ve curated to help you dive deeper into her world.