Lizzy McAlpine releases new single 'The Light in the Painting' and announces fourth album 'Angel' will be released in September
Published: 24 July 2026
Acclaimed American singer-songwriter-producer Lizzy McAlpine today releases her new single ‘The light in the painting’ and announces her fourth studio album Angel will be released on 18 September.
‘The light in the painting’ is a moving, gorgeous ballad that at times verges on the religious, with a spiritual hymn-like feel to it. McAlpine’s voice has a suitable otherworldly slant to it as she sings of the sensations she feels in the first stages of a relationship: ‘Hold my breath when you're near me / Sink my nails into your skin / What a bеautiful way to finally feel something.’
“I wrote ‘The light in the painting’ about the euphoric beginning of a new connection,” McAlpine says. “It’s the first song I wrote for the album, almost two years ago now, and feels like the perfect introduction to the world we’ve built for Angel.”
‘The light in the painting’ is the first taste of McAlpine’s fourth album Angel, which will be released on 18 September. Recorded and produced by McAlpine with her longtime collaborators Mason Stoops and Taylor Mackall, the album sees McAlpine expand her soundscape, introducing sounds ranging from the 1970s Laurel Canyon folk scene through to contemporary indie.
Written and recorded over two years, during which McAlpine experienced a period of profound self-discovery, Angel explores love, heartbreak, community and friendship.
First releasing music 10 years ago, McAlpine had a major international breakthrough in 2023 when her single ‘celings’ hit the top 10 in the UK and the top 20 in Australia. A tender folk-pop ballad that sees McAlpine detail a romantic evening with her partner, the song ends with a massive - and heartbreaking - plot twist as McAlpine reveals the relationship never existed: ‘But it's not real / And you don't exist.’
After the release of her Older album in 2024, McAlpine embarked on a world tour, selling out venues across the US, the UK, Australia and Europe. Last year she expanded her creativity into acting, making her Broadway debut in Floyd Collins at the Lincoln Center Theater, and in June this year her feature film debut Only What We Carry was released.
McAlpine is an artist who makes deeply emotive and connective music and is a born storyteller. There is a maturity and intelligence to her lyrics which, combined with a pared back yet warm musical foundation, makes everything she does an elevated listening experience. Angel looks set to be yet another gem in McAlpine’s increasingly sublime discography.
‘The light in the painting’ is out now via RCA Records. You can download and stream here.
Angel will be released on 18 September. You can pre-order and pre-save here.
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