Alli Cruz Breaks The Romantic Cycle On Her Latest Release, “All the Same"

Will love win out, or will it fizzle?

Alli Cruz is a genre-blurring storyteller whose work spans music, poetry, and fiction. Of Filipina and Cuban descent, Cruz crafts a warm, intimate sound that mirrors the rich, introspective themes she explores across her creative work.

Her upcoming debut EP, Your Dream Girl, slated for a 2025 release, promises a dreamy soundscape steeped in reflection. With her comforting vocals and self-aware wordplay, Cruz’s music feels like an invitation to connect on a deep, emotional level. As Cruz continues to chart a bright path to the future, we can’t wait to see what her next creation will be.

In addition to her music, Cruz is a published poet and fiction writer, most recently honoured as a 2023 Lambda Literary Fellow. Having done her BA at the fabled Stanford University, Cruz’s prose and poetry have appeared in publications such as The Los Angeles Review and The Margins, showcasing her ability to weave evocative, relatable narratives no matter the medium.

Consuming her work often feels like a candid look at the intimately human yearning to belong, whether it’s to someone, someplace, or something greater, and this has resonated with her listeners.

As a reflective guitar lulls you into the sweet, gossamer soundscape of Cruz’s latest release, “All The Same,” you quickly get the sense that this is a master at work. “And I’m so sorry, but it’s gonna turn out all the same / Can never leave you long enough to change,” Cruz laments, feeling the pull of a familiar urge threaten to prevent her from breaking the cycle.

Charmingly, Cruz’s vocals make “All The Same” feel like an intimate confession, lending the intricately personal touch she’s become known for to this release as well. Fans of R&B and soul are not going to want to miss this release.

Based in Culver City, Alli Cruz continues to make a name for herself, whether it’s music, poetry, or other art forms. With each release, her impressive discography shines brighter and brighter.

We loved “All The Same.” Your vocal performance really swept us away! We wanted to ask, what was your creative approach when you made this release? Was there any special inspiration behind it?

I really appreciate the kind words! Honestly, I went into this song just wanting to write something vibey. When I first heard the beat, I instantly felt pulled toward it. What came out was a sound inspired by the music artists I’ve been listening to heavily this past year – UMI, Orion Sun, etc. I admire how these artists can capture this air of calm and ease, even and sometimes especially when addressing topics or feelings that are pretty serious.

I didn’t necessarily go into the writing process intending to make something about toxic on-and-off relationships, but that’s what came out.

In retrospect, I think that the song, in many ways, reflects how I felt in relationships that were purely defined by intense ups and downs. Sonically, the song mostly feels upbeat and happy, with twinges of sadness/poignance dropped in with the electric guitar. But the lyrics are quite sad – the song essentially says, "Yeah, I love you, and you love me, but this is not, has not, and will not work the way we wished it would.

To me, there’s a happiness that’s put on in relationships like that: each time you get back together, you try to convince yourselves that you’re both finally on this chill/positive wavelength (for real this time!), but in reality, there’s a hurt that underscores the entire experience because you both know in your hearts that it isn’t going to last.

What inspired you to take that initial step to start pursuing music seriously, and what motivates you to make music now?

I used to write songs as a kid, but before this year, I hadn’t written a single song since I was about 12. I’ve always loved writing – I got my BA in Creative Writing at Stanford – but for some reason, I’d put singing and performing on the back burner. In the back of my head, I had always thought that music would be something I’d pick up again someday, but "someday" kept getting pushed further. In the past decade or so, I’ve invested most of my creative energy into being a writer and have shaped my identity around that.

But this year, I craved another artistic outlet – a desire to try something new. I firmly believe that if you want to tell a story, you have to make sure that the medium you’re choosing is the best vessel to communicate that story.

I’m drawn to music in the same way I’m drawn to poetry, which is to say – I want to communicate a feeling. I think you can break down a song however you want, but there’s something about music that, like poetry, is sort of inexplicable, and I think it’s a cool thing to tap into. Songs give texture to a story.

Sound is its own type of setting. I’m motivated to keep making music because I believe that there are some stories I want to tell - particularly regarding romantic relationships - that are best expressed both sonically and through the written word.

What’s your fondest music-related memory?

I don’t have one specific memory, but my favorite music-related memories revolve around listening to music with friends. Of course, I love that music can be a really private thing (ex, putting in my AirPods while doing chores or walking around the city), but I especially love music when it’s a shared experience. There’s nothing quite like driving down the freeway, blasting music with your closest friends. I aspire to make music that my friends and I want to listen to, and I think that also motivates my songwriting.

What do you think is the most crucial quality for a musician to have?

Gratitude. It’s a privilege to have the time and opportunity to make and record music. I’m blessed to have people who have lent me their recording space. I’m also blessed to have had time to pursue my creative passions outside of my day job. I think that even beyond the realm of music, gratitude should ideally be the thing that shapes our mentality/outlook on life. No matter what comes from making music -- or any piece of art -- I feel grateful to be able to experience the act of creating something that I’m proud of.

What’s next for Alli Cruz, and is there anything you’d like to say to your fans?

I’m currently making an EP called “Your Dream Girl,” which will be released next year. The project came about as I reflected on past experiences where I felt like I was being over-romanticized/idolized. In my opinion, being a “dream girl” isn't a real thing – no person is a dream; we’re just human beings. In a way, the moniker sounds sweet, but relationships and friendships like that left me feeling overlooked and confined to the other person’s idea of me.

Dreams are what you try to reach, and I think if you label someone as a “dream girl,” you’re essentially admitting that you’ll always be trying to chase them. And it’s not fun to be chased or be chased.

I’m trying to hit on all these ideas through the project while also playing with the idea of what it means to dream, lose sleep, drift off, etc.

As for my listeners – I’m grateful to everyone who takes the time to sit with my music! I hope it moves you.

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