Ziggy Alberts’ latest single, “Where Does the Love Go?”, offers a tender, introspective dive into the complexities of modern relationships and self-love. It serves as a prelude to his forthcoming album *New Love*, due out in February 2025. The track remains rooted in Alberts’ signature minimalist acoustic style, where gentle guitar melodies and simple handclaps leave ample space for his soulful voice to take center stage. In typical Alberts fashion, the song manages to feel both intimate and expansive, invoking the laid-back charm of beachside memories while touching on deeper, universal questions.

Lyrically, Alberts captures a quiet moment of vulnerability with lines like, “People talk about sex, hardly talk about touch,” a sentiment that digs into the emotional core of his storytelling. His musings reflect an emotional rawness that resonates with the isolation and longing many listeners can relate to. Inspired by a moment of reflection while watching waves in Byron Bay, *“Where Does the Love Go?”* reflects the calm yet restless energy that has defined much of Ziggy’s work. There’s a sense of searching in both the music and lyrics, as he questions the fate of love when it seems to disappear.

Musically, the song draws influence from folk-pop peers like José González and Nick Mulvey. The understated production allows the depth of Alberts’ voice to shine, giving the track an organic feel reminiscent of his earlier work, but with a more polished and intentional edge. There’s an emotional clarity here that suggests Alberts is pushing his creative boundaries while remaining grounded in the acoustic simplicity that made him a favorite in Australia’s indie-folk scene.

The song comes with a playful anecdote from the recording process, where Alberts and his collaborator, Garrett Kato, found themselves laughing over an imagined character named “Dr. Love Go”—a rare moment of lightness that contrasts the heavier themes of the song. This blend of sincerity and humor shows a maturing artist who, despite global success and critical acclaim, remains joyfully connected to the process of making music.

With *”Where Does the Love Go?”*, Ziggy Alberts sets the stage for what could be his most introspective and refined album yet. If this track is anything to go by, New Love promises a continuation of his exploration into the delicate balance of love, loss, and self-discovery—all wrapped in the warm, acoustic sound that has made him a standout voice in the modern folk landscape.

–Ray Bortles