Behind the Beats: Will Sass and Alvin Risk Join Forces on New Track ‘Alicia’

When I first listened to “Alicia” by Will Sass, I immediately sensed something special. The track pulled me in with its ethereal electronic sound, and then Alvin Risk’s vocals hit– distinct, powerful, and perfectly fitting with the vibe. Once I learned the story behind the song, everything fell into place.

The debut single by New York City-based artist and producer, Will Sass, hopes to make a bold first impression, as Will has been known for years as a songwriter, performer and producer, who still had never dropped a song until now. Pulling influences from artists like Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, Kaytranada, and Mark Ronson, Sass uses his ability to combine precise production with raw creativity. Every beat, every lyric, feels intentional, yet there’s a playfulness to it all that makes it different in the electronic music scene.

The backstory of “Alicia” is just as intriguing as the song itself. It all began one night under the stars during a meteor shower in Joshua Tree. Feeling a burst of inspiration, Will immediately called up his long-time friend Alvin Risk—an artist known for his collaborations with Skrillex and Kaskade. By some stroke of luck, Alvin was in the studio for the first time in five years, and the very next day, they found themselves at NightBird Recording Studios in West Hollywood, bringing “Alicia” to life.

“I first met Alvin at a Coachella afterparty five years ago, and we instantly hit it off,” Will recalls. “We spent a lot of time just hanging out, driving around LA, listening to music, and going on hikes. But it wasn’t until ‘Alicia’ that we finally got to work together creatively.”

Will shared that the track came together effortlessly. He played Alvin the electronic-heavy intro, and Alvin responded with some exciting lyrics: “Hey Alicia, you might have promised things/ don’t worry I would teach you/throw away your other plans.” The timing, the creativity, the energy—it all just clicked.

“‘Alicia’ was one of those songs that came together quickly and effortlessly,” Will continues. “I played Alvin the atmospheric opening and he came up with these beautiful lyrics. The night before when I’d seen the meteor and called Alvin, he happened to be in the studio for the first time in five years. We were both feeling really inspired and it just felt like everything aligned perfectly for us to finally collaborate.”

But this isn’t just a one-off for Will Sass. He’s already known for his electric live performances at top New York venues like Spring Place, Elsewhere, and Surf Lodge, where he’s shared stages with talents like Barry Can’t Swim, shallou, and Amtrac, and his ability to captivate audiences with his sound makes his live shows something people don’t forget.

With a vault of hundreds of tracks, a debut EP on the way, and upcoming shows across the US and Europe, Will Sass is just beginning his journey. If “Alicia” is any indication, we’re about to hear a lot more of his distinctive sound in the music scene.

Listen to Will Sass and Alvin Risk’s new track, Alicia

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Photography by Caity Krone

Photography by Yana Yatsuk

Written by Angel Joanne Okonkwo