Ali Slater premieres new single that succinctly describes the futility and frustrating longevity of dating. Equal parts a letter to a one true love and a seething retort to all those failed dates behind her, “Over It” is all too relatable to anyone struggling in the dating pool. Now on the heels of her 2021 debut, Ali Slater’s a budding vocalist with a strong voice and a lot to say when it comes to being scorned by the opposite sex and coming out of the ashes stronger for it.
In anticipation of the release, Slater spoke to All The Alt Things about the seven songs she’d track with it.
“Over It” is a banger. It’s incredibly relatable especially over Valentine’s Day. What ultimately made you decide to drop this single on the holiday?
ALI SLATER: Thank you for saying that! It really means so much to hear. It really is quite relatable on Galentine’s Day. The timing worked out really well for it, I was planning on releasing a song every month and they just so happened to line up on holidays (“Kiss In The Rain” on Thanksgiving and “Without You” on Christmas). I was planning on dropping it at the end of January to follow the cadence, but because Valentine’s Day was only a couple of weeks away it was too perfect of an opportunity to pass up. I’m happy to say “Fuck off” to men any time of the year, but saying it on Valentine’s Day feels right.
This single features Jacky Vincent. How did that come about and what was it like working with him?
Jacky is actually one of the people I work with on strengthening my songwriting. I reached out to him in September 2020 to start music theory and potentially guitar lessons. I’m a real theory nerd and I heard he was too, so I was hoping he’d agree to start up with me. Long story short, we’re still working together and geeking out on theory. Guitar is on the back burner for now.
I knew when I was writing this song that I wanted a guitar solo instead of a bridge. When the song was in production the first time around, the person working on it just wasn’t nailing the solo. I went to Jacky to help me come up with some ideas for it because I thought it would be too much to ask him to be on it). He eventually said that he’d just do it and be a feature. Don’t tell him, but I might have teared up a little as soon as we hung up. He’s such a talented and wonderful person. It’s been a blast working with him this past year and a half. I’ve learned and continue to learn so much from him.
This is your third single out now. What’s next for Ali Slater?
I may or may not have an upcoming EP…There also may or may not be a livestream show to celebrate…Stay tuned because I haven’t decided when it’s dropping yet. I’m aiming for March, but you never know. I thought I was going to be dropping “Over It” in September, but here we are in February.
Ali’s “7 Songs to Celebrate Me” Playlist
“If You Can’t Hang” by Sleeping With Sirens
[This song] is sonic inspiration for “Over It,” and [it] embodies the message of the song pretty well. Both are about people (plural) who have fucked over the protagonist, but the protagonist isn’t a punching bag. They fight back, saying “there’s the door,” or, in my case, “I’m so damn over it.”
“Take Her To The Moon” by Waterparks
I never get tired of this song. I’m not sure what the real intention behind it is. However, I interpreted it as being about a guy who wants to both be with a girl long term and make her come. You’d think that would be bare minimum, but keep in mind that the dating bar is on the floor. The second verse of “Over It” is about guys (PLURAL) confusing the inner thigh for the clitoris. Bar = floor.
“That Won’t Save Us” by Against The Current
While most people have flocked to “Weapon” as their favorite Against The Current song on the new EP, I can’t stop listening to “That Won’t Save Us.” I think it’s brilliant in every aspect: lyrics, production, harmonies, etc. There’s not one complaint from me. Also, [Chrissy Costanza]… I love a female-fronted rock band.
“Sweet Blasphemy” by Black Veil Brides
I also don’t think that I could ever get tired of this song. While my release is pretty spiteful and negative, this track shows the strength of the protagonist as they don’t take negativity from those around them. It gives us emos and outcasts a safe place. At least, I feel safe listening to it. I also feel pretty powerful when listening.
“Caught Like A Fly” by Falling In Reverse
This is a Falling In Reverse song from way back. It’s very much a “fuck you” song and I love that. It also isn’t in a typical 4/4 time signature, which gives it that circusy, freak show sound. Lyrically and sonically, it’s a ten out of ten.
“Misery Business” by Paramore
I don’t think this one needs an explanation. This is an anthem, a female-fronted anthem. [Hayley Williams] is my idol. When I heard this song for the first time, it showed me that there is a place in modern rock music for women. We can be superior in a male-dominated genre. Of course, I know about Heart, Pat Benetar, Janis Joplin, etc., but emo rock is so different.
“King For A Day” by Pierce The Veil & Kellin Quinn
This is also an anthem. Who doesn’t smile and get excited when they hear this song? I give them a pass. When I say “all guys” in the song, they, along with Andy Biersack, are excluded.
“Over It” is available on all streaming platforms today. Listen to it and the rest of Slater’s picks in the playlist below.
An avid book reader, overthinker, houseplant caretaker, and MMO player, Kay loves listening to angry music with as much bass boost as she can manage to balance her otherwise quiet lifestyle. If she doesn’t write about the stuff she likes it will inevitably be spewed forth in nonsense order to whomever will listen. She lives with her partner, an angry cat, and a lazy dog, both of which are named after StarCraft characters.