Alice Merton Is Back In The Driver’s Seat With Charlie Brown

by | Jun 16, 2023

Alice Merton’s two studio albums – MINT & S.I.D.E.S. – saw the British-German alternative-pop artist reach over a billion streams and three million sales. She has been captivating audiences all over the world ever since she released her debut single No Roots (US Gold, multiple Platinum awards in Europe) and now returns with her new single Charlie Brown.

Alice Merton (JIDOH)

Alice Merton (JIDOH)
Alice Merton (JIDOH)

The new tune is a catchy indie pop song that tells the story of a man who is stuck in a rut. His days are repetitive, and his past keeps coming back to haunt him. He is searching for a higher meaning in life, something that makes him feel fulfilled – unfortunately, he has yet to find it. The chorus comes in as a push out of the daily grind: “Hold tight we’re moving on! Keep that dream just a little bit longer!”

The video was filmed in London and written and directed by Merton herself. At her side was choreographer Lyn Lim with whom she worked with on Lash Out and Blindside and her trusted Director of Photography Elias Koehler (Why So Serious, Same Team, Blindside, Funny Business). Together they created a world where Charlie seems to be a bit confused and depressed with his life situation, but the 29-year-old is adamant that he realises how special he is.

Check out the Alice Merton-directed video for Charlie Brown below:

Charlie Brown is a wake-up call to get back into the driver’s seat of your life. It’s a hymn to keep going – no matter how big the obstacles may be. Stop settling for the apparent security of everyday life, but fight for what is important to you. Thus, the song’s message is not only addressed to Charlie. All of us could do with leaving our comfort zone sometimes, try things and to stand up for our dreams.

Alice Merton (JIDOH)

Alice Merton (JIDOH)
Alice Merton (JIDOH)

After having finished a North American and European Tour with British indie poppers Bastille last year, Merton found herself back in the studio, writing with Chris Wood aka “Woody” the Drummer from Bastille and Songwriter/Producer Matt Wills. Merton recalls: “It was honestly one of the best times of my life, getting to tour with such a lovely group of people, and then creating music together”. William Farquarson (Bass player in Bastille) joined the session a few weeks later and out came Charlie Brown.

Bastille @ Glastonbury Festival 2022

William Farquarson of Bastille @ Glastonbury Festival 2022 (Kalpesh Patel)
William Farquarson of Bastille @ Glastonbury Festival 2022 (Kalpesh Patel)

Finished off with production by Paul Whalley (Waste My Life, The Other Side) and Mixed by Jon Kelly (Kate Bush, Freddy Mercury, Duffy) and mastered by Sascha Busy Bühren.

Wallice Uses MOTH Club As Her Punching Bag

n0trixx (Andy Ford)

n0trixx Announces Debut Album ‘A Catalogue Of Madness And Melancholia’, Shares Harrowing New Single ‘Revenge On God’

Russian-born, Lancashire-based “bedlamcore” artist n0trixx has announced her debut album A Catalogue Of Madness And Melancholia, set for release on 13th March 2026, alongside the arrival of its uncompromising lead single Revenge On God.

Reading Festival 2023 (Luke Dyson)

Reading & Leeds 2026: A Festival Weekend Poised For Pop, Punk, And Everything In Between

The first wave of names for Reading & Leeds Festival 2026 has landed, and it promises a bank holiday weekend...
Gipsy Kings (Press)

Gipsy Kings Featuring Tonino Baliardo Announce New Album ‘Historia’ And Share Lead Single ‘Señorita’

Flamenco icons Gipsy Kings featuring Tonino Baliardo have announced their new album Historia, set for release on 15 May 2026. The record marks a major new chapter for the GRAMMY®-winning group, who first reshaped global pop in the late ’80s with their pioneering blend of flamenco, Latin rhythms, pop hooks and genre-spanning influences.

Charlotte Sands (Megan Clark)

Charlotte Sands Announces New Album ‘Satellite’ & Shares New Single ‘One Eye Open’

Alt-pop powerhouse Charlotte Sands has announced details of her new album Satellite, set for release on 6th March 2026. Alongside the news, she has unveiled a brand-new single, One Eye Open, offering another electrifying preview of what’s to come.

The Saints @ Electric ballroom (Peter McDonnell)

The Miraculous Second Coming Of The Saints ’73-’78 At London’s Electric Ballroom

There are comebacks, and then there are resurrections. For punk devotees, the return of The Saints ’73–’78 — the latest live incarnation of the legendary Melbourne outfit — firmly belonged in the latter category. With original members Ed Kuepper and Ivor Hay at the helm, and an inspired line-up completed by Mick Harvey, Mark Arm, Peter Oxley, and a three-piece brass section led by Terry Edwards, the Electric Ballroom felt less like a gig and more like a communal rite of appreciation for one of punk’s most quietly revolutionary bands.

Annabelle Chairlegs (Colin Shields)

Annabelle Chairlegs Shares Fuzz-Drenched New Single ‘Heavy Sleeper’ Ahead of 2026 Album ‘Waking Up’

Austin-based singer-songwriter Annabelle Chairlegs — the creative force of New Jersey native Lindsey Mackin — has released her latest single Heavy Sleeper, the third track to be lifted from her forthcoming album Waking Up, due 30th January 2026. Produced by Ty Segall and arriving via TODO, the record marks a new chapter for Chairlegs, pushing her sound into grittier, more mechanical territory without letting go of the molten hooks and melodic charm that have powered her rise.

Dogstar @ Kentish Town Forum (Kalpesh Patel)

Dogstar Launch 2026 ‘All In Now’ Tour With UK & Ireland Dates + Full European Leg

Alt-rock trio Dogstar — featuring Hollywood star Keanu Reeves on bass, vocalist/guitarist Bret Domrose and drummer Rob Mailhouse — have announced a major European tour for 2026, hitting Ireland, the UK and a wide range of venues across the continent. The All In Now Tour 2026 is set to begin in June and run through much of the summer, offering fans both nostalgia and fresh live energy from the reactivated band.

Xiu Xiu (Press)

Xiu Xiu Announce New Covers Compilation ‘Xiu Mutha F***in’ Xiu: Vol. 1’ & Share ‘Cherry Bomb’

Experimental art-rock shapeshifters Xiu Xiu have announced their latest project: Xiu Mutha Fuckin’ Xiu: Vol. 1, a wide-ranging and deeply idiosyncratic collection of covers arriving 16th January 2026 via Polyvinyl. Long available only to subscribers of their Bandcamp series, these reimaginings now see their first full official release — a meticulously curated portfolio that spans decades, genres and entirely disparate musical worlds.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing