Juliet Ivy Gifts Us a Dose of Holiday Existentialism in "snow globe on an alien's desk"
Photo: Basil Tweedy
Juliet Ivy is part of season two of the Mastercard x OnesToWatch Artist Accelerator program. To learn more about the Mastercard x OnesToWatch Artist Accelerator program, visit here.
Singer-songwriter Juliet Ivy is bringing a healthy dose of holiday existentialism this winter season with the release of "snow globe on an alien's desk." This latest single is a delicate yet deep effort from the budding artist. It's a lullaby laced with gentle guitar strums and soft vocals that offer a new perspective on the ephemeralness of time and how lucky we are to be alive.
Opening with a collection of lilting guitars, light percussion, and strings, Ivy's soothing vocals give the listener insight into her world. Watching the snow fall from behind the glass and spending time with her family, she reflects on the passage of time, singing, "One day I was born, and one day I'm gonna die / Oh what a miracle it is to be alive." As the instrumentation and Ivy's calming vocals ebb and flow, there is a joy that shines throughout the track, wrapping the listener in a warm blanket of sound that is comforting and nostalgic. She expresses how lucky she feels to be on this Earth, even if it is just a simulation or, better yet, a "snow globe on an alien's desk."
"'snow globe on an alien's desk' is the epitome of holiday existentialism," shares Ivy. "It's about the gut-wrenching feeling of time passing as another holiday season approaches. The feeling is both scary and beautiful. It's about how I get the most existential in the winter as I watch the world around me get one year older, and I think about everywhere I've been and everywhere I have yet to go. I spend my nights watching the snow, wondering if this is all a simulation, what else is out there in the universe and beyond. It's like a holiday cousin to 'we're all eating each other," accepting the fate of time and leaning into the beauty of it. As I hope for with all of my music, I hope this song reminds people to be present and grateful this winter, and always. We are so lucky to be in a snow globe on an alien's desk!
The single is Ivy's first release since her 2024 EP, tiny but scary. On the stellar five-track body of work, the rising star digs into her experiences as a young woman in the 21st century. She brings listeners into her innermost thoughts with honest yet whimsical lyrics, which pair beautifully with her gently insistent melodies, touching on themes of mental health, growing up, and the adventures experienced along the way.
Watch the "snow globe on an alien's desk" video below: