Byron Bay-based singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and surfer Ally Palmer unveils her most emotionally resonant work to date with her new album TAKE ME TO THE WATER, set for release on Friday, 11 July 2025.
LISTEN TO TAKE ME TO THE WATER HERE
At the heart of this deeply personal 10-track record is the title track and focus single “Take Me To The Water”, a song that cuts to the core of grief and love. “Take Me To The Water was quite a painful experience to write,” Ally shares. “It’s about losing someone I love. That shock moment where you find out they’re gone — it’s like cold water hitting your skin. I needed to get this feeling off my chest and into a song.”
This moment of catharsis is followed by “Take Me To The Water (Outro)”, a shift into a major key and emotional release. Originally part of the same track, Ally decided to split the songs during production:“It felt like a moment of letting go after the heaviness. Like a breath out.”
The album opens with the groovy, soul-inflected “Apple Of My Eye”, which began as a riff back in 2016 and resurfaced during the album’s writing sessions. “I love the groove in this one. It’s about someone special you just can’t stop thinking about. I couldn’t believe I remembered that riff after so many years — it came together so naturally.”
“Old Friend” explores the evolving nature of friendship — how it changes, drifts, and sometimes fades.
“I was coming to terms with the idea that friendships can flow in and out of your life — and that’s okay. It was a tricky realisation, but this song helped me process that.”
The album’s centrepiece, “Take Me To The Water”, is followed by its soaring outro, then transitions into the dynamic “A Change Is Coming Soon”, a slow-burning anthem of hurt and hope. “It touches on losing faith in humanity, but ends with a desire to make change. I wrote it on acoustic guitar, but in my mind, I could already hear the full arrangement — it’s a journey from despair to determination.”
From there, Ally takes listeners into the delicate “I Wish”, a piano-led ballad and one of the album’s earliest compositions.“This one’s intense. It’s about longing — wanting to be close to someone and not quite knowing how to express it. The piano we recorded had this beautiful, melancholic tone that matched the lyrics perfectly.”
The jazz-tinged “Never Stop Loving You” is a loving tribute to Ally’s late grandmother and her favourite singers, like Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole.“I wrote it not long after she passed. It was emotional, like writing a letter to her. Now it feels like a beautiful way to keep her close.”
The earthy folk tones of “Let The River” mark a shift in the album’s sonic palette, featuring a collaborative performance with fellow artist Dusty Boots.“This one’s special. It’s about a local river we both visit for peace, inspiration, and connection. We both feel this deep pull to water, and that shared experience shaped the song.”
“Stars Align” is a gently layered acoustic track that speaks to finding your path and trusting yourself.“It’s about choosing to live the life you want. When you do, the stars align. I wanted this song to feel like nature — like going on a long drive, or walking through the bush.”
Closing out the record is “Coming Back”, a luminous, reflective finale about clarity and renewal.“This one always felt like the end of something, but in a hopeful way. It’s about the fog lifting. That moment when you realise you’re okay, and you’re ready to move forward. I’ve been playing that melody since 2022, but never knew it would become a song. Then it all just clicked.”
After touring Australia as a keyboardist for a range of bands and artists, Ally Palmer stepped into the spotlight with her solo career in 2016. Since then, she’s released two EPs, earned national radio airplay, and secured a coveted slot at the 2017 Byron Bay Bluesfest. Her single, “Takin’ It Easy,” gained viral traction, with the video racking up over 100,000 views on Facebook. In 2022, she released her debut album Need You Around—a collection that captured her signature fusion of folk and vintage pop with soulful, heartfelt songwriting.
In 2024, Ally performed at the Woodford Folk Festival with her full band, while her track Running surpassed 300,000 streams on Apple Music. She was also featured in AMRAP’s editorial Soul Searching, spotlighting Australia’s rising soul artists.
Now in 2025, Ally returns with her most personal and powerful release yet: her sophomore album Take Me To The Water. Blending folk, soul, jazz, and timeless storytelling, the album showcases Ally’s most vulnerable and fully realised work to date. Drawing influence from artists like Norah Jones, Michael Kiwanuka, Dusty Springfield, and Leon Bridges, she weaves emotional honesty with warm, organic arrangements, crafting songs that feel equal parts confessional and comforting.
TRACKLIST — Take Me To The Water
Apple Of My Eye
Old Friend
Take Me To The Water
Take Me To The Water (Outro)
A Change Is Coming Soon
I Wish
Never Stop Loving You
Let The River (with Dusty Boots)
Stars Align
Coming Back
NEW ALBUM TAKE ME TO THE WATER OUT FRIDAY 11 JULY 2025 ON ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS
