A year after his debut EP, Vincent, Alnev continues to be vulnerable and honest with his anticipated sophomore EP, and everything you left was blue.
Ari Rabin, better known as Alnev, is a Floridian singer-songwriter who makes alternative / indie pop music. When he was 15 years old, he moved to Pennsylvania to attend a Jewish school, and from there he began to write music. In August of 2019, he released his first single, “Give Love.” In order to start building his music career, he moved to New York in 2020. Despite the growing presence of COVID-19, the young singer did not let the pandemic disrupt his songwriting. Instead, he began to develop his skills in music production and began writing his debut EP, Vincent.
Before the release of his debut EP, Alnev found major success with his single, “Van Gogh,” which is featured on the EP. “Van Gogh” touches on the struggle of life, being an artist, and the feeling of wanting to be seen. It is a highly relatable song that many people have latched onto. It’s a song about “the death of an artist and the life of another,” the singer has said. As more people began to relate to the song, it went viral online and has amassed over 600,000 streams.
A year after his debut EP, Alnev released his highly anticipated follow up EP, and everything you left was blue, on November 13, 2025. Impressively, the EP was made independently with the help of his friends, with no backing or funding from a label. The EP is raw and emotional as it expresses themes of both heartbreak and loneliness. “Six songs form the crux of a broken heart. The muse required the writing, and my soul was tasked with putting the pen to paper,” Alnev wrote on Instagram, “may these songs find some solace among your eardrums.”
Review: and everything you left was blue
The EP kicks off with catchy guitar strums from “the Writer.” It is an upbeat song where Alnev’s vocals are clear and intimate as he sings about not being the right person to fall in love with. The song is a perfect opener for the EP as it acts as the tensions and highs before heartbreak arrives in the following track, “the guy that got you.” The track pivots from the high-energy beats of “the Writer,” becoming a softer, quieter piano ballad about watching someone you love move on and the heartaches that follow.
“at least we didn’t try” follows the same soft and quiet energy as the previous track. Alnev becomes vulnerable and raw as he sings about trying to move on from the one you love. The next song, “ghost,” feels cinematic in its production as it builds up over time without losing the rawness present in the last 2 songs. “ghost” is about confronting past relationships, and the haunting, yet enchanting melody and Alnev’s vulnerability in his voice mimic how relationships can haunt us to the bitter end.
The next song, “if i’m being honest,” is a standout on the record. It brings back the upbeat and catchy energy that was present in “the Writer,” while still keeping the raw lyricism from the previous tracks. Finally, the record concludes with “a little bit in love.” It’s a compelling closing track that showcases his raw vocals and ties the EP’s themes of heartbreak, loss, and moving on into one cohesive track. In a poetic way, the track acts as a sense of closure for the heartaches that were experienced throughout the record.
Interview with Alnev
Over Thanksgiving Break, I had the chance to ask Alnev some questions about his latest EP and himself as an artist.
What was the creative process behind and everything you left was blue?
This project is a collection of songs centered around heartbreak, loss, and the interplay between grief and relief. I produced it with my incredible friends Yonah and Shlomo, in our bedrooms. Creatively, the goal was the same as always: maximize the potential of the art and figure out what each song needs.
Was it any different from the previous EP you made?
For sure. The previous EP took a lot longer to make; it took much more time to figure out what each song was supposed to sound like. Also, the focus of my debut EP “Vincent” was to have a really musically diverse project, I wanted each song to be a completely different expression that was tied together by the EP’s narrative. “and everything you left was blue” is much more sonically homogenous; I feel like each song is glued together in a much more concise way.
Which song was the most difficult to produce?
It’s hard to say. I know for certain that “the Writer” was the easiest; Yonah and I were really locked in on that one. For hardest, I’d say maybe “Ghost”. I produced that one myself and had many months where I had no idea what to do with it. It took the help of some friends to figure out exactly what it needed, and I’m very grateful for everyone who offered direction and input with that one. Harper, my mixer, ended up doing additional production to really take it to the next level, and that truly made the biggest difference.
What do you want listeners to take away from this EP?
I hope that if they’ve had any similar experiences, they’ll feel seen and understood by this project. I really try to focus on being as vulnerable as possible, and I hope that can strike the right chord in people. And purely from a musical standpoint, I really believe that this project sounds absolutely incredible, and that’s something I really appreciate about it.
Is there one particular song off your EP that’s your favorite?
I love them all so much, and my favorite changes all the time. But right now, I think “at least we didn’t try” strikes something in me. There’s something so specific about the lyricism that I’m very proud of, and musically, I don’t know if I’ve ever heard a song exactly like it before. It slaps.
You’ve openly talked about your Jewish identity. How does it influence your music?
My Jewish identity has always been such a big part of my life. I don’t generally touch on religious topics in my music, as I don’t usually feel inspired to write about that. But Judaism is the lens through which I see the world, so I’m sure it has an effect and influence on my perception and expression. I’ll also add that as someone who grew up in the Ultra Orthodox Hassidic community, I’ve noticed there’s a lacking of raw, authentic music there. I’m really trying to make a difference and trail-blaze a way forward for Jewish art, especially for the community I grew up with and still am a part of.
Has writing and creating music allowed you to express yourself in ways you haven’t before?
I think writing has always been a gift for me, one I am endlessly grateful for. Through all the struggles of my life, my ability to write about them has been the most curative and beautiful thing. I think of my music as an extension of my soul, and it’s one of the deepest ways I have to express myself.
Was there one specific moment in your life where you knew you wanted to be a musician?
Probably after listening to Lorde’s “Melodrama”. That album really shifted my brain chemistry, and it’s a huge part in what inspired me to write my own songs. I also think the first show I ever played (in 2019) was a huge moment for me as well; I remember thinking, “I wanna do this forever”.
What musicians inspired you to create the music you produce today?
I’d say my top inspirations are Panic! At the Disco, Frank Sinatra, Julia Michaels, Lorde, and Lauv. I adore them all and am endlessly inspired by their music.
What is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring musicians?
Listen to as much music as you can, read books, watch films, engage in art and life, and the human experience. Write down everything you think and feel, take a voice memo of every melody that comes to you. Develop your artistry and figure out how to offer your unique talents to the world. Remember that you’re here for a reason and your gifts can change the world!
Closing Thoughts
If you haven’t checked out Alnev and his music already, I highly suggest you should! He is a brilliant and creative artist who is able to perfectly capture the complexity of emotions in his music. and everything you left was blue is an authentic record that takes listeners into an emotional world filled with heartache and healing. The future for Alnev is bright is bright and this EP is only just the beginning.
You can stream Alnev’s music on all major music platforms. You can listen to and everything you left was blue here.
