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

Kira Lise (Megan Chan)

Kira Lise Turns Anxiety Into Power On New Single ‘Ignorance Is Bliss’

Nashville-based indie alternative artist Kira Lise has released her first single of 2026, Ignorance Is Bliss, a strikingly candid track born from a period of intense anxiety and emotional reckoning.

A Place To Bury Strangers (Heather Bickford)

A Place To Bury Strangers Announce ‘Rare And Deadly’, A Decade-Spanning Archive Of Chaos

New York noise-rock mainstays A Place To Bury Strangers have announced a new rarities collection titled Rare And Deadly, set for release on 3rd April 3rd. To mark the news, the band have unveiled lead single Everyone’s The Same, offering a first glimpse into a project that dives deep into the group’s most unguarded and volatile moments.

Mika @ Wembley Arena (Neil Lupin)

MIKA Brings Glitter, Gears And Glory To Wembley Arena

Twenty years into a career built on falsetto acrobatics and fearless theatricality, MIKA doesn’t so much play Wembley Arena as conquer it. From the rafters to the balconies, this is pop as grand spectacle — maximalist, joyful and gloriously unhinged.

Ella Langley (Caylee Robillard)

Ella Langley Turns Inward On Reflective New Single ‘Be Her’ Ahead Of Dandelion Release

Multi-platinum country star Ella Langley has released her brand new single Be Her, a candid and introspective anthem that offers a glimpse into the emotional core of her forthcoming sophomore album Dandelion, due for release on 10th April.

John Blaylock (Press)

John Blaylock Shares Heartfelt New Single ‘Violets’ Ahead Of Debut Album Release

Manchester singer-songwriter John Blaylock continues the build-up to his debut solo album Sounds Of The Dreadnought with the release of his new single, Violets, out now.

Mae Stephens (Piotr Rulka)

Mae Stephens Swaps Sass For Sultry On New Single ‘Blue’ Ahead Of UK Headline Tour

Mae Stephens is stepping into a new sonic chapter with the release of her latest single Blue, a track that reveals a more restrained and soulful edge to the UK pop powerhouse ahead of her debut headline tour next month.

Swervedriver (Steve Gullick)

Swervedriver To Celebrate 35 Years Of ‘Raise’ With Special London Show

UK psychedelic rock trailblazers Swervedriver are set to mark the 35th anniversary of their seminal debut album Raise with a special one-off London performance this autumn.

McCoy Moore (Matthew Berinato)

McCoy Moore Set For C2C Spotlight As ‘Prayin’ For Me’ Signals Breakout Year

Rising Nashville singer-songwriter McCoy Moore is steadily carving out his place in modern country, blending raw vulnerability with grounded grit — and UK audiences are about to see why the buzz is building.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing