New LP from Quiet as a Mouse

Quiet as a Mouse is a musical project led by singer-songwirter Alex Moran who was born in London, raised in Edinburgh and now based in Brisbane since 2019. Across those changing locations, Alex has carried those different places with him, allowing each chapter of his life to subtly influence the music he creates. Through Quiet as a Mouse, he delivers songwriting that feels highly personal while remaining open enough for listeners to find their own experiences inside it, balancing candid lyricism with memorable melodies and a confident indie spirit.

Before relocating to Australia, Alex had already begun establishing Quiet as a Mouse as one of Scotland’s rising songwriting voices. Playing alongside artists including Hinds, The Orwells, Palma Violets, The Big Moon and The Orielles, the project earned a reputation through live performances that combined intimacy with energy. Alongside those appearances came opportunities to work with Grammy Award-winning producer Liam Watson, known for his work on The White Stripes’ Elephant, as well as Marcus Mackay, whose production credits include the early recordings of Frightened Rabbit and Snow Patrol.

That early momentum accelerated with the release of Quiet as a Mouse’s debut single, “Home Is The Hardest Place To Find,” which quickly attracted critical recognition, with Martin Williams of The Herald naming it both the 51st best song of 2013 and the 27th best Scottish song of the year. Momentum continued to build over the following years and in 2018, Quiet as a Mouse received further UK press coverage and radio support, while the recording of the debut album, Is It Funny When It Hurts?, was funded by the Scottish Government.

That release was later followed by the six-track mini album Passport in 2022, expanding the project’s growing catalogue while continuing to develop its thoughtful indie sound. Following a period away from releasing new music, Alex returned this year with the singles “Miss Melody” and its accompanying B-side, “French Bullet Blues.” The comeback also introduced an engaging visual companion, with the music video for “Miss Melody” assembled using footage Alex filmed during a visit to Hong Kong and Beijing in April 2025.

Now Quiet as a Mouse enters its next chapter with the release of the sophomore album titled Nostalgia is fine…but…, a record that presents Alex at his most exposed while preserving the confidence and melodic flair that have rippled throughout the project’s output from the beginning. The album sees him embracing a more intimate approach to songwriting, allowing emotion and romance to sit alongside the swagger and lyrical sharpness that have long characterised his music. Lead single “Miss Melody” opens the album with a bright indie rock scene where intricate guitar layers, laid back drums and alluring vocal layers form an instantly memorable sound that’s mesmeric and energising in equal measure.

“Cocaine Soul” follows with the bounce of shuffling drums and the crunch of bluesy guitars, framing Alex’s superb songwriting in a grooving rock setting brimming with slick guitar work and moody vocals. “Peter Pan” slows things down with an intimate blend of lightly strummed guitars and emotive vocals before the arrangement progresses with pattering percussion and catchy vocal leads, offering a moving indie rock anthem cut with twanging lead guitar flickers. The song arrives with a beautifully cinematic music video filmed during sunset on Peregian Beach along Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, complementing the reflective atmosphere surrounding the album by pairing expansive natural scenery with the understated emotional honesty that shapes Alex’s songwriting.

Other highlights on the album include songs like “1999” where soft guitar backing underpins Alex’s expressive vocal performance while the rustle of drums and tender backing vocals combine to deliver a timeless indie rock outing. “Paracetamol” flows with steady rhythmic energy and compelling vocals carrying heartfelt lyricism while “Dolls Eyes” flows from a stripped back acoustic setting towards a melancholic indie jam full of soothing melodies and immersive arrangement.

“Comfort Food” presents a charming outing of delicate instrumentation and delightful melodic writing, offering a stellar moment that’s impossible not to love. Closing the album with “White Picket Fence,” the pulse of bass and taps of percussion sets a gentle groove as hushed vocals float above, gathering rock energy as the full band sound delivers a burst of intensity to serve up a thrilling finale to Quiet as a Mouse’s incredible second full-length record.

Listen to Nostalgia is fine…but… below