While Hobert might still fly under the mainstream radar, she quietly made waves behind the scenes – co-writing several tracks on Gracie Abrams’ 2024 album 'The Secret of Us', including the international hit 'That's So True'. Her rise led to a publishing deal with Universal and collaborations with notable artists like Alessi Rose. Through Universal, she connected with producer Ricky Gourmet (known for his work with Finneas), and the partnership blossomed into her full-length debut.
On 9 May 2025, Hobert introduced herself as a solo artist with the single 'Sue me,' an irresistible TikTok sensation. She followed it up with 'Bowling alley' in June and 'Wet Hair' in July, announcing 'Who’s the Clown?' and playing her first headline show ahead of its release.
Clocking in at its release today, 'Who’s the Clown?' is brimming with sharp lyricism and instantly infectious hooks. Hobert’s personality leaps from the music – this debut feels like a warm, self-aware confessional wrapped in Y2K-rom-com pop brilliance. She flits between self-deprecating breakup anthems and tongue-in-cheek identity crises with ease, capturing the messy, hilarious, and undeniably human experience of young adulthood.
The album artwork perfectly encapsulates that duality – its clown imagery is nothing short of creepy, which contrasts so starkly with the gleaming, buoyant pop. It’s a visual subversion that matches her musical tone – cheeky yet vulnerable.
Lead single 'Sue me' thrives on queasy self-awareness: “Your face, my place, it’s business, babe / And my roommate is here so let’s ménage-à-trois it.” It struts with Kesha-like brio while navigating post-breakup desire with wry humor.
'Bowling alley' mirrors her playful sway, while 'Don’t go back to his ass' layers ABBA-esque harmonies over cheeky advice: "Much better to laugh from just where you're sat / I don't know, it's hard, I know he's funny / But baby, don't go back to his ass". 'Sex and the city' references an iconic cultural touchstone, which underlines the artist's undeniable knack for intertwining pop culture with introspection, while the mellow 'Phoebe' – named for the Friends character – explores insecurity with warmth and humor.
'Who’s the Clown?' establishes Audrey Hobert as a captivating new voice in alt-pop: sharply funny, deeply personal, and disarmingly relatable. It’s a debut that doesn’t just announce its presence – it pulls you into a quirky, emotionally honest world where being yourself, even if mismatched or messy, is the greatest power.
Olivia Judd
Image: Kyle Berger
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