P&P Spotlight: Alex Coel

What began as a letter written during a moment of doubt gradually transformed into a song about growth, reconciliation, and learning to stay present even when things feel uncertain. “suck it up” is just the latest testament to Alex Coel’s thoughtful lyricism and profound artistry - the rising Spanish singer-songwriter is known for blending melancholic melodies with string arrangements, as they reflect on love, queerness and mental health. 

Through gentle acoustic layers and honest storytelling, “suck it up” captures the complexities of navigating relationships and personal change. It continues to introduce listeners to Alex’s emotionally driven style as they prepare to release their debut EP, i should go. Before this pivotal moment in their musical journey, they moved from the north of Spain to Dublin in search of new creative opportunities and a community of collaborators. Now, they’re thoroughly integrating themselves in the Irish music scene, including an EP release gig on April 25th. 

Playlists & Polaroids recently had the privilege of speaking to Alex, and our conversation with them made us even more pumped for the release of i should go! Keep reading to learn more about the story behind “suck it up,” the experiences that shaped their songwriting, and how moving to Dublin has influenced their creative journey.

Image credit: Pia Bonas, graphic created by Karly Ramnani

YOU'LL LOVE ALEX COEL IF YOU LISTEN TO: Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker, The 1975, Clairo, Hozier, Bon Iver, Lizzy McAlpine, Sydney Ross Mitchell, Searows 

What made you choose “i promise” as your debut single and “suck it up” as the follow-up release? In what ways do these songs feel like the ideal way to introduce who you are as an artist?

I chose “i promise” as my first release because it felt like the perfect base to start my music project. I wrote it a while ago, and the arrangement is a mix of everything I’ve ever written, so it made sense to choose it as my presentation card. On the other hand, “suck it up” is probably my favorite song I’ve ever written melody-wise, and I was really excited to release it. But at the same time, I didn’t want it to be the very first song people heard from me.

When you first penned the letter that became “suck it up,” what was the original purpose of the words you wrote? What inspired you to rework them into a song?

When I first started writing “suck it up,” I was feeling insecure in myself and in my friendships and relationships. That’s something that usually makes me want to run away and avoid putting in the work and effort that having a community around you entails. I thought it would be helpful to write a letter to myself and reflect on how much I had grown emotionally over the past few years. I started building the song from the chorus, which talks about fighting unhealthy patterns even when it feels scary or uncomfortable. From there, the lyrics turned into something more intimate and hopeful, almost like an apology.

What types of emotions inspired the letter, and then later the song? Did the process feel more like reflection, closure, or something else entirely?

I would say the main emotion that inspired the song was relief. It’s something that inspires me a lot and something I feel very intensely, both the search for it and the relief itself. “Suck it up” was born from that search, which eventually turned into closure.

You’ve said the track started as something heavier but gradually became more of a reconciliation and love song. How did that emotional shift occur during the writing process?

The shift happened when I realized that I’m stronger, older, and more capable of living in a healthier way now. I can allow myself to make mistakes, but I don’t have to let the comfort of old habits stay with me for long.

Image credit: Pia Bonas

The song carries a sense of melancholy but also comfort. In what ways did you strive to balance those two emotions while writing it?

Balancing melancholy and comfort felt natural with this song. I find myself writing from a melancholic place most of the time, but when I wrote “suck it up,” I had this feeling in my chest that could be described as extreme love and happiness, something that could easily turn into deep melancholy and sadness. I think that’s the reason the song came out so easily.

How did your move from northern Spain to Dublin, in search of creative spaces and collaborators, shape your journey as a musician?

I moved to Dublin to study music since I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for back in Spain. It was hard for me to find a community there where I felt comfortable sharing my music and being vulnerable. Not because there isn’t a great music scene, but because it can be really hard to get into if you don’t know the right people. It’s also more challenging for artists who write in English. In Dublin, I found it easier to open up and make connections since I was completely alone and new to the city, so it felt like I had nothing to lose.

You’ve previously shared that opening for the Spanish indie band Hinds, in your hometown of Vigo, has served as a highlight of your career thus far. What did that experience mean to you?

Opening for Hinds was an amazing experience. My best friend and I had been fans of theirs for such a long time, so it felt surreal to be selected for that opportunity and to meet them in person. My best friend was there with me that day, and it really felt like a full-circle moment.

Has playing live shows in Dublin altered your relationship with the songs you write? If so, how?

Dublin has definitely changed the way I write music. There’s a specific vibe to the city that makes everything feel a bit darker and more melancholic. I love this place in a strange, twisted way, mainly because it makes me never want to be fully happy, if that makes sense. And honestly, that feeling is very helpful when it comes to writing music.

Image credit: Pia Bonas

As a queer artist, in what ways does songwriting allow you to explore identity and relationships?

Being queer definitely comes through in my writing, but I would say that more than songwriting allowing me to explore my identity, my identity and queerness allow me to feel certain emotions that make me want to write. I’m not sure if one could exist without the other, but I guess I’ll never find out since queerness and music have always been there for me, and always will be.

With your debut EP about to come out, what excites you most about sharing this next chapter of your music?

I’m really excited to release all the songs on the EP because I’ve put so much time and effort into making them sound exactly how I wanted them to. I’m particularly proud of “between curtain and window.” It’s probably my favorite out of the five songs, and we recorded it live, so I can’t wait to share that one with the world. I’ve also been working on some special visuals that will come out alongside the EP, and I’m really excited for people to see those too.

Finally, the Playlists & Polaroids classic! What’s a lyric from “suck it up” that really stands out to you? Walk us through the process of writing it and how it speaks to you personally.

My favorite lyric from “suck it up” has to be: “stay and press the swollen tiny glass cuts in your guts, from all the times you had to push it down and suck it up.” I wrote it thinking about all the times I’ve fought the urge to leave a relationship or situation because putting in the work felt too exhausting. Staying in the comfort of unhealthy habits and running away can feel easier in those moments. The line was really a reminder to myself that I’ve been through those feelings before and that working through them is usually worth it in the long run. It’s obviously fair to not always have the energy to work on yourself, but I wanted to remind myself not to fall back into those habits every time they start to feel comfortable.

Offering a personal commentary on growth and vulnerability, “suck it up” feels both intimate and deeply reflective. In the song’s lyrics and production, Alex Coel characterizes both the melancholy and the quiet sense of comfort that can emerge from moments of uncertainty. As Alex continues preparing for the release of their debut EP and building their presence within Dublin’s music scene, it’s clear that their thoughtful approach to storytelling and emotionally driven songwriting will remain at the heart of what they create next. Here’s a playlist we’ve curated to capture their vibe!