There is something so gratifying about seeing someone’s dreams come true. Getting to someone who has worked tirelessly for literal decades finally make it…that’s the good stuff. And that is exactly what we have here with Hansel&Gretel by Alice Faust. I know personally just how hard she has worked, honing her craft and singing her heart out, trying out whatever fits her best. In an age of instant gratification through AI Slop, it really is gratifying to see someone continue to work so hard, and more importantly, to see that hard work pay off.

She’s finally putting out music that she loves and is proud of, and that’s beautiful.

Now, the song itself! It feels so fitting that it was released at the tail end of August, at a time when summer is clinging to its last tendrils of hope (although, if you live in Los Angeles, like I do, you might wish for it to cling a little less…), for this song has such a The Song Of the Summer sort of feel. It’s catchy. It’s bright. It’s explosive. In all the ways that matter. Simply put, it’s a bop!

And not only is it a bop, it has such a taste of nostalgia. It transports me back to early 2000s pop music. Back when times were just better. A callback to going on adventures and playing pretend with your best friend, leaving your own trail of breadcrumbs à la the titular characters. Which is fitting, since best friend-ism is one of Faust’s biggest inspirations for her song. It’s a “Us Against The World” anthem for her own best friend. And I definitely think that shines through in the track.

Are they Hansel and Gretel? Or are they following in their footsteps, seeing where that trail of breadcrumbs leads them? That’s not for us to know. The beautiful thing about a song like this, about a story like this, is we get to decide where the adventure goes ourselves.

I encourage all of you to grab your best friend, hop in the car (or the train, or the boat, or your preferred method of travel), share an earbud, blast this song, and just go. Go on that adventure.

It’s just you and them against the world.

You can stream Hansel&Gretel down below!