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Alexander 23's “I Wanna Live Forever” is a breezy take on the cynical love song, coasting on crisp harmonies and spring-on-the-horizon-indie-pop spirit. The budding star's bashful charm places love and hardship behind a rosy film wherein for once, it doesn’t all seem so heavy.

“I Wanna Live Forever” melds together with as much ease as the lyrics portray, welcoming listeners with a warm acoustic riff that flows unhurriedly. Falling perfectly in step with the stride of the rolling drum loop, the serene guitar is already a hook, setting us up for a typical Alexander 23 earworm.

There are a few production nuances that especially caught my attention, and I found myself replaying the song just to hear them pop up over the routine of the guitar and drums. In a fit of post-chorus frenzy, Alexander 23 adds these distorted, crunchy synth hits that feel like pure exclamations of emotion. Then, a barrage of almost video game-style synth arpeggios cascade across the track, adding a bubbly burst of liveliness. These eccentric touches cry out from left field and retreat just as quickly, like a momentary glimpse into the shimmering excitement Alexander 23 disguises as nonchalance in his lyrics. “And I could only hold my breath for so long, but you make it easy..."

As his sophomore single of the year, “I Wanna Live Forever” opens us up to a new side of Alexander 23. It’s a genuine moment of bliss captured in amber, adding an exhale of ease to the indie pop songwriter’s introspective discography. 

Watch the "I Wanna Live Forever" video