Fresh off a triumphant headline tour across Australia, Alice Ivy is ready to surprise listeners with her latest collaborative release, “Do I Need To Know What Love Is?”, featuring the soulful tones of GRAMMY-winning vocalist Josh Teskey from The Teskey Brothers. The single, which drops on October 16th, serves as the final teaser ahead of her third studio album, Do What Makes You Happy, set for release on November 22nd via Helix Records.
Known for pushing sonic boundaries, Alice Ivy steps into unfamiliar territory with this track, bringing Teskey into an electronic-leaning space unlike anything he’s explored before. Ivy’s talent for paring things down to their essence is on full display, as the track evolved during production—raising the BPM and creating a lush fusion of orchestral elements and shimmering electronic beats. The arrangement radiates with bright, OutKast-inspired horns, delicate hand claps, and childlike choruses, all layered over a minimalist soundscape that gives Teskey’s expressive vocals space to soar. His soulful delivery adds depth and warmth to lyrics that resonate with youthful innocence, creating a poignant moment that feels both nostalgic and refreshing.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Ivy shared the significance of working with Teskey:
“Josh was one of the first artists I worked with after lockdown in Melbourne. I was beyond excited because I’ve always admired his voice and wanted to explore what it would sound like in a more electronic setting. I rarely send instrumentals ahead of time, but I did for this session, and Josh loved it. Watching him warm up for two hours, blowing into a straw, and then recording eight full takes—straight through from top to bottom—was incredible. It was such a joy as a producer to sit back and listen to him work magic on the RCA mic. That day is something I’ll never forget.”
Teskey joins an eclectic lineup of collaborators on Do What Makes You Happy, including Kah-Lo, BJ The Chicago Kid (“Criminal”), Låpsley (“Popstar”), Mallrat, Jelani Blackman (“Broke My Heart”), and Mayer Hawthorne (“Howlin’ At The New Moon”). Ivy describes the album as a time capsule of post-pandemic creativity, born out of the joy and gratitude that came from reconnecting with people after the isolation of lockdowns.
“This album was made at a time when everyone was rediscovering what brings them joy,” Ivy explains. “The collaborators came into the studio with so much enthusiasm. I feel like I captured everyone at their rawest, which really shines through in the vocal recordings.”
Do What Makes You Happy further solidifies Alice Ivy’s reputation as one of Australia’s most forward-thinking producers and songwriters. With her knack for inventive collaborations and polished production, this album promises to be a standout moment in her career, capturing not just musical excellence but the spirit of creative freedom and connection.