Visions (Alice Merton album): Difference between revisions

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==Background and release==

==Background and release==

On 17 June 2022, Merton released her second studio album, ”[[S.I.D.E.S.]]”, which charted number 28 in German charts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-494190 |title=Offiziellecharts.de – Alice Merton – S.I.D.E.S. |publisher=[[GfK Entertainment charts]] |access-date=2 February 2026 |language=de}}</ref> On April 2024, she released the five-track extended play, ”Heron”, through Paper Plane Records.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/heron-ep/1732273351 |title=””Heron” – EP |publisher=[[Apple Music]] |date=12 April 2024 |access-date=2 February 2026}}</ref> The deluxe edition of the EP, ”Heron II”, was released on 16 August.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ingenthron |first=Blair |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Alice-Merton-Releases-New-EP-Heron-II-Via-Paper-Plane-Records-20240818 |title=Alice Merton Releases New EP ‘Heron II’ Via Paper Plane Records |publisher=[[BroadwayWorld]] |date=18 August 2024 |access-date=2 February 2026}}</ref>

On 17 June 2022, Merton released her second studio album, ”[[S.I.D.E.S.]]”, which charted number 28 in German charts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/album-details-494190 |title=Offiziellecharts.de – Alice Merton – S.I.D.E.S. |publisher=[[GfK Entertainment charts]] |access-date=2 February 2026 |language=de}}</ref> On April 2024, she released the five-track extended play, ”Heron”, through Paper Plane Records.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/heron-ep/1732273351 |title=””Heron” – EP |publisher=[[Apple Music]] |date=12 April 2024 |access-date=2 February 2026}}</ref> The deluxe edition of the EP, ”Heron II”, was released on 16 August.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ingenthron |first=Blair |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwmusic/article/Alice-Merton-Releases-New-EP-Heron-II-Via-Paper-Plane-Records-20240818 |title=Alice Merton Releases New EP ‘Heron II’ Via Paper Plane Records |publisher=[[BroadwayWorld]] |date=18 August 2024 |access-date=2 February 2026}}</ref>

Merton revealed her third studio album, ”Visions”, on 13 September 2025, alongside its [[cover artwork]].<ref>{{cite instagram |last=Merton |first=Alice |author-link=Alice Merton |user=alicemerton |postid=DOik3q4Dbvu |title=This Year for My Birthday… |date=13 September 2025 |access-date=2 February 2026}}</ref> On 18 Septepmber, she started to tease materials through her social media platforms, offering a preview of then-upcoming lead single.<ref>{{cite instagram |last=Merton |first=Alice |author-link=Alice Merton |user=alicemerton |postid=DOvwq83iGlj |title=Getting ready to start… |date=18 September 2025 |access-date=2 February 2026}}</ref> Four days later, she revealed its title and release date.<ref>{{cite instagram |last=Merton |first=Alice |author-link=Alice Merton |user=alicemerton |postid=DO5_hHpCCLy |title=25.09.25 Ignorance Is Bliss Pre-save now |date=22 September 2025 |access-date=2 February 2026}}</ref> The singer started to leak three alternative cover artworks of ”Visions” on 21 October,<ref>{{cite instagram |last=Merton |first=Alice |author-link=Alice Merton |user=alicemerton |postid=DQEvedtiN7t |title=Leaking the Album Artwork Piece by Piece… |date=21 October 2025 |access-date=2 February 2026}}</ref> 28 October<ref>{{cite instagram |last=Merton |first=Alice |author-link=Alice Merton |user=alicemerton |postid=DQWfhhPDfS0 |title=Next artwork leak |date=28 October 2025 |access-date=2 February 2026}}</ref> and 4 November.<ref>{{cite instagram |last=Merton |first=Alice |author-link=Alice Merton |user=alicemerton |postid=DQmayILCNcv |title=Sometimes I Dream of an Island. |date=4 November 2025 |access-date=2 February 2026}}</ref> On 9 November, she revealed the track list of the album.<ref>{{cite instagram |last=Merton |first=Alice |author-link=Alice Merton |user=alicemerton |postid=DQzQvK4CHIv |title=Next week… |date=9 November 2025 |access-date=2 February 2026}}</ref>

Merton revealed her third studio album, ”Visions”, on 13 September 2025, alongside its [[cover artwork]].<ref>{{cite instagram |last=Merton |first=Alice |author-link=Alice Merton |user=alicemerton |postid=DOik3q4Dbvu |title=This Year for My Birthday… |date=13 September 2025 |access-date=2 February 2026}}</ref> On 18 Septepmber, she started to tease materials through her social media platforms, offering a preview of then-upcoming lead single.<ref>{{cite instagram |last=Merton |first=Alice |author-link=Alice Merton |user=alicemerton |postid=DOvwq83iGlj |title=Getting ready to start… |date=18 September 2025 |access-date=2 February 2026}}</ref> Four days later, she revealed its title and release date.<ref>{{cite instagram |last=Merton |first=Alice |author-link=Alice Merton |user=alicemerton |postid=DO5_hHpCCLy |title=25.09.25 Ignorance Is Bliss Pre-save now |date=22 September 2025 |access-date=2 February 2026}}</ref> The singer started to leak three alternative cover artworks of ”Visions” on 21 October,<ref>{{cite instagram |last=Merton |first=Alice |author-link=Alice Merton |user=alicemerton |postid=DQEvedtiN7t |title=Leaking the Album Artwork Piece by Piece… |date=21 October 2025 |access-date=2 February 2026}}</ref> 28 October<ref>{{cite instagram |last=Merton |first=Alice |author-link=Alice Merton |user=alicemerton |postid=DQWfhhPDfS0 |title=Next artwork leak |date=28 October 2025 |access-date=2 February 2026}}</ref> and 4 November.<ref>{{cite instagram |last=Merton |first=Alice |author-link=Alice Merton |user=alicemerton |postid=DQmayILCNcv |title=Sometimes I Dream of an Island. |date=4 November 2025 |access-date=2 February 2026}}</ref> On 9 November, she revealed the track list of the album.<ref>{{cite instagram |last=Merton |first=Alice |author-link=Alice Merton |user=alicemerton |postid=DQzQvK4CHIv |title=Next week… |date=9 November 2025 |access-date=2 February 2026}}</ref>

2026 studio album by Alice Merton

Visions
Released 16 January 2026 (2026-01-16)
Studio Flóki (Iceland)
Length 43:48
Label Paper Plane
Producer
  1. “Ignorance Is Bliss”
    Released: 26 September 2025
  2. “Cruel Intentions”
    Released: 14 November 2025
  3. “Landline”
    Released: 11 December 2025

Visions is the third studio album by German-Canadian singer Alice Merton. It was recorded in various places, especially in Flóki Studios, Iceland. The album was released independently on 16 January 2026, through Paper Plane Records. After the release of her second studio album, S.I.D.E.S. (2022), she released an EP titled Heron and its deluxe edition in 2024. On September 2025, she revealed Vision‘s cover artwork. Its lead single “Ignorance Is Bliss” was soon announced, being available on 26 September along with the music video filmed in Iceland. The album was further preceded by two remaining singles, “Cruel Intentions” and “Landline”.

Merton co-wrote and produced every song in the album with the assistance from Jennifer Decilveo, James Dring, Rich Cooper and Paul Whalley. Visions is mainly about blind trust in oneself and one’s vision. Upon release, it received generally positive reviews from music critics, such as AllMusic and Mix1.

Background and release

[edit]

On 17 June 2022, Merton released her second studio album, S.I.D.E.S., which charted number 28 in German Albums charts.[1] On April 2024, she released the five-track extended play, Heron, through Paper Plane Records.[2] The deluxe edition of the EP, Heron II, was released on 16 August.[3]

Merton revealed her third studio album, Visions, on 13 September 2025, alongside its cover artwork.[4] On 18 Septepmber, she started to tease materials through her social media platforms, offering a preview of then-upcoming lead single.[5] Four days later, she revealed its title and release date.[6] The singer started to leak three alternative cover artworks of Visions on 21 October,[7] 28 October[8] and 4 November.[9] On 9 November, she revealed the track list of the album.[10]

Merton is set to embark on the tour in support of the album, beginning from Berlin, Germany on March 2026.[11]

Recording and theme

[edit]

Visions was recorded in serveral places, Iceland, New York, London and Los Angeles;[12] most of the songs in the album were primarily recorded in Flóki Studios, Iceland.[13][14] It is primarily about blind trust in oneself and one’s own vision.[15] The album centers on themes of independence, resilience, and self-determination; it explores the creative process through moments of doubt, risk-taking, and persistence.[16]

Merton described Visions as being about “the creative vision and the ups and downs that come with it”, explaining that it reflects “the days you don’t want to do anything, the days you achieve so much”, as well as the doubts and questions faced along the way, driven by an “indescribable love for a certain project”.[16]

Three singles preceded Visions;[17] on 25 September, the lead single “Ignorance Is Bliss”, co-produced with Jennifer Decilveo,[12] was released,[18] with its accompanying music video filmed in Iceland[11] and directed by Merton.[12] Rich Cooper co-produced the song “Cruel Intentions”,[19] released on 14 November,[20] and “Landline” was released on 12 December.[21]

Writing for AllMusic, Marcy Donelson described Visions as Merton’s first fully independent release and a statement of self-reliance, adding that she sounds “more self-assured than ever”.[13] Mix1 noted the album as her most consistent statement of independence and argued that the album reflects her willingness to embrace discomfort in pursuit of authenticity.[22]

All tracks were produced by Alice Merton and Jennifer Decilveo, except where noted.

Visions track listing
Title Writer(s) Producer(s)
1. “Ignorance Is Bliss”   3:35
2. “Coasting”
  • Merton
  • Decilveo
  • Smith
  • Whalley
   3:25
3. “Visions” 3:28
4. “Cruel Intentions”
  • Merton
  • Rich Cooper
  • Jonny Lattimer
 2:53
5. “Boogie Man”   3:19
6. “Mirage”
  • Merton
  • Whalley
  • Julien Emery
 3:22
7. “Jane Street”   3:00
8. “On the Wire”
  • Merton
  • Decilveo
  • Smith
  • Whalley
   3:38
9. “Willow Trees in Tokyo”   3:24
10. “Joyriding”   3:06
11. “Landline”
  • Merton
  • Decilveo
  • Smith
  • Whalley
   3:05
12. “Marigold” 4:07
13. “Treasure Island”   3:39
Total length: 43:48
  1. ^ “Offiziellecharts.de – Alice Merton – S.I.D.E.S.” (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  2. ^ “Heron – EP”. Apple Music. 12 April 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  3. ^ Ingenthron, Blair (18 August 2024). “Alice Merton Releases New EP ‘Heron II’ Via Paper Plane Records”. BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  4. ^ Merton, Alice [@alicemerton]; (13 September 2025). “This Year for My Birthday…” Retrieved 2 February 2026 – via Instagram.
  5. ^ Merton, Alice [@alicemerton]; (18 September 2025). “Getting ready to start…” Retrieved 2 February 2026 – via Instagram.
  6. ^ Merton, Alice [@alicemerton]; (22 September 2025). “25.09.25 Ignorance Is Bliss Pre-save now”. Retrieved 2 February 2026 – via Instagram.
  7. ^ Merton, Alice [@alicemerton]; (21 October 2025). “Leaking the Album Artwork Piece by Piece…” Retrieved 2 February 2026 – via Instagram.
  8. ^ Merton, Alice [@alicemerton]; (28 October 2025). “Next artwork leak”. Retrieved 2 February 2026 – via Instagram.
  9. ^ Merton, Alice [@alicemerton]; (4 November 2025). “Sometimes I Dream of an Island”. Retrieved 2 February 2026 – via Instagram.
  10. ^ Merton, Alice [@alicemerton]; (9 November 2025). “Next week…” Retrieved 2 February 2026 – via Instagram.
  11. ^ a b Stromer, Jule (29 September 2025). “Alice Merton Kundigt Visions An Und Veroffentlicht Single “Ignorance Is Bliss”“ [Alice Merton Announces Visions On And Released Single “Ignorance Is Bliss”] (in German). Bandup. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  12. ^ a b c “Alice Merton anuncia o álbum Visions e lança o single “Ignorance Is Bliss”“ [Alice Merton announces the album Visions and releases the single “Ignorance Is Bliss”] (in German). Teco Apple. 25 September 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  13. ^ a b c Donelson, Marcy. “Visions – Alice Merton”. AllMusic. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  14. ^ Gerig, Micha. “Alice Merton – Visions | Album der Woche” [Alice Merton – Visions | Album of the Week] (in German). FluxFM. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  15. ^ Viegas, Sarah Tomschke (27 September 2025). “Alice Merton Kündigt Ihr Drittes Album Visions für den 16. Januar an – Erste Single Ignorance Is Bliss seit dem 25. September draussen” [Alice Merton Announces Her Third Album Visions for January 16 – First Single Ignorance Is Bliss Out Since September 25]. Frontstage (in German). Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  16. ^ a b Steinhoff, Nane. “Alice Merton: Crafting resilience, melody and meaning”. Discover Germany. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  17. ^ “Z tymi dźwiękami rozpoczniemy 2026 rok. Jakich zagranicznych płyt warto słuchać w styczniu?” [With these sounds we will start 2026. What foreign albums are worth listening to in January?]. Dzień Dobry TVN (in German). 20 December 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  18. ^ “Ignorance Is Bliss – Single”. Apple Music. 25 September 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  19. ^ “Alice Merton assume o papel de vilã numa relação no single “Cruel Intentions”“ [Alice Merton takes on the role of villain in a relationship in the single “Cruel Intentions”] (in German). Teco Apple. 17 November 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  20. ^ Merton, Alice [@alicemerton]; (14 November 2025). “Happy Release Day Cruel Intentions!”. Retrieved 2 February 2026 – via Instagram.
  21. ^ Jan (12 December 2025). “Alice Merton Visions: Neue Single “Landline” veröffentlicht” [Alice Merton Visions: New single “Landline” released] (in German). Mikro und Manuskript. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  22. ^ a b “Alice Merton kündigt ihr drittes Album Visions an” [Alice Merton announces her third album Visions] (in German). Mix1. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  23. ^ “Visions (CD)”. Official Alice Merton Store. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  24. ^ “Visions“. Apple Music. 16 January 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  25. ^ “Visions (LP)”. Official Alice Merton Store. Retrieved 2 February 2026.

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