Analise is an artist that stuns from the first listen. Her unique approach songwriting involves building up a layered and luscious sound world, full of rich harmonies and soundscapes that blend pop, indie, and folk, all into a wondrous combination of music that feels truly authentic.
Her new single ‘Forever’, feels like exactly that this. A track that builds throughout with references to the likes of Adrianne Lenker and Slow Pulp, Analise truly shines and instils her own brand of alt-indie-pop, and ‘Forever’ feels like the most prominent release from her to date.
We had the opportunity to sit down with this truly exciting and one of a kind songwriter, on the new release, what it means to her and what’s next for 2025. Read it in full here at LOCK below.
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– Hey Analise, welcome to LOCK! How are you doing?
I am amazing! Thank you so much for having me!!
– Sum up your new single ‘Forever’ for us in three words for our readers…
Bittersweet, Introspective, Punch-to-the-gut
– Can you tell us about the inspiration behind ‘Forever’? What does the song mean to you personally?
‘Forever’ came from such a personal place. It’s about the weight of being the one to end a relationship and having to face not only the other person’s heartbreak but your own doubts about whether you’re making the right choice. There’s this idea that when you say ‘forever,’ it’s supposed to mean something unshakable, but sometimes reality doesn’t match up with that. Writing this song was like processing all of those conflicting feelings—guilt, fear, and the weird relief of choosing yourself. It’s such a vulnerable piece for me, and I hope people can connect with it, whether they’ve been on either side of that moment.
– ‘Forever’ has this beautiful fluidity in its sound, shifting from an intimate acoustic ballad to an atmospheric soundscape. What was your creative process like in shaping the song’s evolution?
I actually worked on it for… Forever. It was a very long process that started in the summer of 2023 when I first wrote it in response to TikTok comment that told me to write about “right person, wrong time.” Although that’s why I wrote it, I realized quickly that I was writing very verbatim about my own life at that time — and that it was more than just the person or the timing. This song was a direct ode to my passion for my music and my ambition for achieving all that I aim to, and how having those goals as a young person gets in the way of the normal life and love of a 20 year-old. With it being so connected to my feelings, I started singing it over and over again — any and every time I picked up the guitar. This soon translated to working on it with different producers and friends and messing around with the deeply complex soundscape I envisioned it to have. I let this song grow slowly because I knew it was going to be complicated to bring what I was hearing in my head to life. After working with multiple friends on the production including bandmates Guy Malta and Sebastian Stinnett, and producers, Cal Knippenberg and Jackson Perry, the song was brought to life!
– With your debut EP Oshibana, you explored themes of young love and its challenges. How does ‘Forever’ compare in terms of emotional depth and subject matter?
‘Oshibana’ was definitely about navigating young love and all the beautiful, messy, and confusing parts of it. With ‘Forever,’ I feel like I’ve gone deeper into the emotional complexity of letting go. It’s less about the highs and lows of love and more about that gray area where you have to make hard choices for yourself. There’s this heavier sense of introspection in ‘Forever,’ a kind of self-awareness that I wasn’t fully tapped into when I wrote ‘Oshibana.’ It feels more mature in a way, like it’s coming from a place of learning how to sit with the difficult parts of love and life.
– ‘Forever’ deals with the courage it takes to let go of something, even when it means walking away. How does this theme of self-empowerment and moving on resonate with you in your own life?
Letting go is one of the hardest things, but it’s also something I’ve had to learn a lot about in my own life. Whether it’s relationships, friendships, or even ideas of who I thought I was supposed to be, there’s this bittersweet clarity that comes with choosing to move forward. ‘Forever’ really reflects that for me—it’s about having the courage to disappoint someone else’s expectations because you know deep down that it’s the right thing for you. That’s a lesson I’m still learning every day, but writing this song was a reminder that sometimes letting go isn’t a failure—it’s an act of self-love.
– With comparisons to artists like Clairo and Adrianne Lenker, how do you feel about being compared to them? Is there any specific artist or genre that has influenced your music most deeply?
Being compared to artists like Clairo and Adrianne Lenker is such a compliment because they’re masters at creating these really vulnerable, introspective worlds. But I feel like I’ve solidified my own sound—something that’s a blend of my DIY roots and the influences that have shaped me. Dijon, especially, has been a huge inspiration. He allows for and even embraces imperfection and messiness in such a beautiful way. That’s something I’ve had to learn to lean into, too.
From recording songs like ‘Messy’ on my bedroom floor back in New Hampshire—where no one around me really knew what to do with the music I wanted to make—to following my own unconventional paths, I’ve grown to love that raw, unpolished side of creating. It’s shaped my sound into something that feels homemade but intentional, capturing moments as they are rather than trying to make them perfect. I think that freedom to embrace imperfection has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.
– Looking ahead to 2025, what can we expect from you in terms of new music? Are there any exciting projects or collaborations in the works?
2025 is going to be such an exciting year! I’m releasing more music than I ever have before—so many new singles that I’m really proud of. Each one feels like a step deeper into my sound and who I am as an artist. On top of that, I’ll be playing a ton of live shows with my band, which is something I’ve been pouring a lot of energy into. There’s something so special about performing live and connecting with people in real time, and I can’t wait to share that experience with everyone. It’s going to be a big year full of music, growth, and hopefully a lot of unforgettable moments.
– Lastly, if you could offer one piece of advice to your fans who might be navigating the complexities of love and female self-empowerment, what would it be?
My biggest piece of advice would be to trust yourself—your feelings, your instincts, and your worth. Love can be so complicated, and it’s easy to lose yourself trying to meet someone else’s expectations. But the most important relationship you’ll ever have is the one with yourself. It’s okay to walk away from something or someone if it means protecting your peace and growth. Empowerment doesn’t always look loud and bold; sometimes, it’s in the quiet, brave decisions you make to put yourself first.
Stream ‘Forever’ now: