Alison Wonderland’s Journey Through ‘GHOST WORLD’
Not all spirits linger to haunt; some remain to guide. For Alison Wonderland, revisiting her past involved discerning which influences were beneficial and which needed to be left behind.
Album Exploration
Her newest album, GHOST WORLD, chronicles this introspective journey. The tracks, such as “Lost & Found,” “Floating Away,” and “Again? Fuck,” reflect her internal dialogue. This vulnerability is uncommon in electronic music, fostering a deep connection with her audience.
“It’s interesting how many people relate to this,” Wonderland shared with EDM.com. “I’ve felt this way since high school. Perhaps more therapy is needed. I often feel like I don’t belong anywhere.”
Facing Hard Truths
While creating the album, Wonderland confronted tough questions about her career’s future. “Is This The End?” closes the album, and it remains challenging for her to listen to. The song became a self-reflection on feeling replaceable and experiencing what she describes as an “ego death.”
“I questioned my ability to continue,” she admitted. “I wasn’t feeling encouraged, but I persevered. Music is something I can’t imagine not doing.”
“It was about evaluating how much more I could give and what I was receiving in return. When you’re constantly giving without replenishment, it’s mentally and emotionally taxing.”
Creative Evolution
Wonderland’s best creations emerge from a trance-like state, where her mind freely colors a blank canvas. However, external influences often disrupted this process.
“I enjoy zoning out and entering a flow state,” she explained. “Previously, this was frequently interrupted.”
Success brought complications. While she could experiment freely early in her career, the success of Run increased external noise. Wonderland spent more time filtering opinions than trusting her instincts, turning past projects into creative struggles.
“Ultimately, I released what I wanted,” she said. “But it was a much more challenging process.”
Reconnecting with Her Roots
GHOST WORLD allowed Wonderland to reconnect with her younger self, before external pressures took hold. She realized that creativity thrives when free from external constraints.
“When planning a new album, I asked myself, ‘Who am I now? I feel lost.’ I decided to channel that feeling and have fun, like with the Whyte Fang project, ignoring outside voices. It felt refreshing.”
“Creating meaningful work requires genuine excitement and intent. Many have said it’s reminiscent of Run. It captures the energy I had then, which is positive.”
Her 2023 Whyte Fang project reignited her creative freedom, influencing GHOST WORLD by highlighting which influences were beneficial to retain.
For this album, she minimized external input. “I handled A&R myself, involving those who truly understood me,” Wonderland explained.
Despite the major label environment, her team encouraged her to pursue what excited her, without chasing trends.
“Their support was incredible,” she said. “It’s how every artist should feel. You can hear it in my recent releases—I feel renewed and liberated.”
Finding Solitude and Connection
Taking control also meant confronting her loneliness. Previously, this was unsettling, but now she finds solace in her individuality.
“I sometimes feel sad not having a supportive clique,” Wonderland admitted. “I’ve never felt that sense of belonging.”
“I’ve become more comfortable with this. Previously, I struggled to define myself as an artist. With this album, I stopped worrying about it and focused on creating my own path.”
When solitude feels overwhelming, she finds encouragement from her fans.
“If just one person truly understands the album, it feels like I’ve connected with someone,” Wonderland said.
Recent interactions with fans have made her feel appreciated, reminding her of her gratitude towards them.
“They need to know their belief in me kept me going through my struggles,” Wonderland shared. “They believe in me.”
Life is a complex journey, full of challenges and beauty. As Wonderland puts it, “Everything comes in waves.” While her soul may sometimes be restless, she finds comfort in the supportive spirits around her. In GHOST WORLD, these waves guide her to freedom.
“I still have more to give,” she affirms. “It would be foolish to stop now.”
You can listen to GHOST WORLD below and find the new album on streaming platforms here.
Connect with Alison Wonderland
X: x.com/awonderland
Instagram: instagram.com/alisonwonderland
TikTok: tiktok.com/@alisonwonderland
Facebook: facebook.com/awonderdj
Spotify: tinyurl.com/5yfaj32v
