EMERGING ARTISTS: Alicia Clifford

Alicia Clifford is a 22-year-old singer-songwriter from North London who is quickly carving out her own space in the indie-folk world. Drawing inspiration from artists like Adrienne Lenker and Laura Marling, Alicia has shaped the genre into something distinctly hers. A skilled guitarist and honest storyteller, she has already released three singles, each serving as a stepping stone toward her debut EP, Training Wheels.

What makes Alicia so captivating is her transparency. She is entirely herself, and that shines through in her music. Her lyrics pull from memory and personal experience, creating songs that feel both wistful and thought-provoking. Speaking about her connection to music, Alicia told me:

“Human connection is lacking in today’s world, and being able to share emotion through music really is such a powerful and beautiful thing. Music has helped me through many hard times in my own life, and I want to be that soundboard for others.”

TRAINING WHEELS

I was lucky enough to hear Alicia’s debut EP ahead of release, and it is one of the most moving debuts I’ve come across. Across its four tracks, soft guitar lines and layered vocals weave together to create something intimate yet powerful.

What makes Training Wheels even more inspiring is that it was created entirely by women — written by Alicia, recorded, produced, and mastered by women alone. In an industry still dominated by men, Alicia’s debut is a statement of empowerment as much as it is a showcase of her artistry.

The songs on Training Wheels were originally written when Alicia was younger. Having fallen out of love with them, she revisited the tracks years later and reimagined them, transforming them into something that feels both raw and deeply personal.

Training Wheels Ep Cover

TIGHTROPE

Tightrope is a track that immediately tugs at your emotions with its layered, melodic humming. Alicia sings from a place of nostalgia, reflecting on how quickly life passes by, the yearning to enjoy youth, and the struggle of being at odds with yourself: “As I tear myself to tatters.”

What stands out most is Alicia’s openness about mental health. The song carries an overwhelming sense of fragility, of not wanting to waste time, and its bridge is breathtaking. The lyric “It’s all we know, it’s all we know” echoes like a choir, angelic and haunting.

"Tightrope" Press Release

JOSH’S SONG

Opening with a gentle instrumental laced with the sound of a child’s laugh, Josh’s Song is a beautifully tender track. Alicia’s layered vocals create a feeling that lingers long after it ends. It reads almost like a goodbye, grappling with the pain of leaving someone or something behind.

Lines like “I love you with all my heart” may be simple, but they capture the song’s sincerity perfectly. When she sings “such a cute little baby that made me short circuit,” it feels as though we’re right there in the memory with her. Alicia’s ability to make the personal feel universal is what makes her music so relatable.

"Josh's song" Press Release

TAKES ONE TO KNOW ONE

Takes One to Know One shifts the mood, carrying more urgency than the other tracks. It reflects on the monotony of life, “Live life in the same way every day”, and the burden of not wanting to weigh loved ones down with heavy feelings. The song feels like listening to pages from Alicia’s diary, raw and unfiltered, as if she had something to prove both to herself and the world.

"Takes one to know one" Press Release

REFLECTIONS

Training Wheels is a remarkable debut, a collection that perfectly represents Alicia Clifford’s artistry. It is an EP of self-discovery, where she makes peace with the past while taking bold steps forward. There’s a quiet strength in these songs that suggests Alicia is only at the beginning of a long and promising career.

The first track, Sandman, arrives on October 3^rd,  and it’s a release worth keeping on your radar.

PRESS PHOTOS

Written by Sophie Lee.