Alice Ivy’s Do What Makes You Happy: A Celebration of Creativity and Collaboration

Alice Ivy sharpens her artistic focus with Do What Makes You Happy, her third studio album and a love letter to creativity and connection. Out now via Helix Records, the project highlights the magic of a producer reconnecting with the foundation of her craft. Blurring genres and expectations, Alice Ivy (Annika Schmarsel) leans into analog textures, live instrumentation, and the spontaneity that inspired the Motown greats she grew up admiring.

The album features a powerhouse lineup of collaborators, from Josh Teskey and Kah-Lo to BJ The Chicago Kid, Mallrat, and Mayer Hawthorne. Each artist brings their unique energy to the table, but the focus track, “Smile” featuring chlothegod, perfectly captures the album’s spirit. “I thought the record was done, but then I had this last-minute session with Chlothegod in LA, and she walked in with such a vibrant energy that I couldn’t help but create something special with her,” Alice Ivy recalls.

Reflecting on the process, Alice Ivy explains, “This record is about getting back to what excites me—live takes, warm analog sounds, and music that feels alive. There’s something about those first few takes that just can’t be recreated, and I wanted to capture that essence.” What guides her art also pushes her to open more doors for underrepresented talent in the studio. “It took years for people to see me as a producer rather than just a singer,” she shares. “Now, I want to pave the way for others like me to feel like they belong here too.”