Leo Gautreau Finds Beauty in Everyday Life with New Single Alice

By Chris Kennedy | Published 13th Oct, 2026

Dublin-based singer-songwriter Leo Gautreau has been turning heads and pricking ears since arriving on the Irish music scene with his debut single, Song to the Wind. Drawing inspiration from folk, blues, rock ’n’ roll, jazz and even a little country, Gautreau has a knack for mixing different styles without making a fuss about it.

He hasn't wasted much time building on that early promise either. Following releases including The Ways and I'll Love You Still, Gautreau is back with his fourth single, Alice, a lively slice of folk-rock that pairs an infectious groove with a story that has a little more going on beneath the surface.

A Little Folk, A Little Blues and Plenty of Rock ’n’ Roll

From the off, Alice settles into a punchy, mid-tempo groove, bringing together folk-rock charm and a healthy helping of blues. There's a real old-school rock ’n’ roll feel to the rhythm, with an upbeat energy that keeps things moving along nicely without ever sounding too slick or overly rehearsed.

Gautreau's vocals are raw, melodic and full of character, fitting comfortably into the slightly rough-around-the-edges nature of the track. There's something refreshing about a singer who doesn't feel the need to smooth out every little imperfection, and here, that unpolished delivery gives ‘Alice’ much of its personality.

A Few Musical Surprises Along the Way

Just when you think you've got the measure of Alice, Gautreau throws in a couple of unexpected twists. Towards the end, the music appears to almost fall apart, with the instruments seemingly losing their way while his vocals carry on regardless. It's a curious little moment that catches you off guard.

But before you can work out what's happening, everything snaps back into place, returning to that cheerful, foot-tapping rhythm as though nothing happened. It's a playful bit of musical mischief, and rather than feeling out of place, it adds to the song's slightly quirky charm.

Then there's the trumpet. Well, sort of. What sounds like a burst of brass is actually Gautreau performing a vocal mouth trumpet, imitating the instrument himself. It's a wonderfully odd little addition, and exactly the kind of thing that makes you smile when you realise what's going on.

Finding Something Bigger in the Everyday

Behind all that upbeat musical energy, Alice has a more thoughtful story to tell. The lyrics follow the day-to-day life of a young woman, touching on the ordinary problems, frustrations and struggles that most people will recognise in one form or another. Nothing particularly extraordinary on the face of it, but that's rather the point.

As the story unfolds, those everyday experiences begin to take on a greater significance. Gautreau finds something worth considering in the small details of ordinary life, gradually turning Alice's story into a wider plea for compassion, understanding and perhaps a little more thought about what other people might be going through.

A Creative Team That Knows Its Stuff

Also involved in Alice are the creative songwriting and production team of Rohan Healy and Al Quiff, adding their talents to Gautreau's latest release. The result is a track that has plenty of character, with enough little musical surprises to keep things interesting from beginning to end.

There's a looseness to Alice that works in its favour. It doesn't feel like a song that's been polished to within an inch of its life, and that's part of the appeal. Between the bluesy groove, Gautreau's distinctive vocal delivery and that unexpected mouth trumpet, there's certainly no shortage of personality here.

Final Verdict | Leo Gautreau Alice

With Alice, Leo Gautreau delivers another enjoyable and slightly offbeat addition to his growing catalogue. It's catchy, bluesy and full of old-fashioned rock ’n’ roll spirit, but there's a thoughtful message tucked away beneath all the fun. The unusual musical detours and playful vocal trumpet give it an extra bit of charm.

Four singles in, Gautreau is proving himself to be an artist who's happy to follow his own musical instincts rather than stick to one particular sound. ‘Alice’ is a fine example of that approach, and if this is the direction he's heading, it'll be interesting to hear what he comes up with next.

The single, Alice, is available through all streaming platforms.

Photo Credit: Leo Gautreau