Rumination as Ritual (stylized in all lowercase) is the debut extended play (EP) by English singer-songwriter Alessi Rose. It was released on 3 July 2024, by Hunger Records. The EP was supported by the release of three singles and one promotional single, and received positive from critics and fans.
After the release of her first two singles, Alessi Rose began working on Rumination As Ritual in 2023, developing a set of songs that explored themes of emotional depth, self-reflection, and the complexities of relationships. The project was released under Hunger Records on 3 July 2024, marking Rose’s first extended play with the label.
The EP was preceded by three singles—"Eat Me Alive" (24 January 2024), "Break Me" (4 April 2024), and "Lucy" (8 May 2024)—leading up to the launch. A promotional single, “CRUSH!”, dropped alongside the EP on 3 July 2024. Each track was accompanied by online promotion, with Rose teasing lyrics and artwork via social media in the weeks before release. The EP has since been streamed over 8 million times as of August 2025[1].In a feature with Clash Magazine, Rose characterized the project as “a collection of songs that depict various past events that I have over-analyzed and agonized over in the past year”[2]. She further cited The Virgin Suicides as the inspiration of the visuals for the project, praising Sofia Coppola’s unique way of portraying girlhood[3].
Before she released the six-track EP on July 3, 2024, she announced her first headlining tour in the United Kingdom after having her own headline show just a month before where she performed Rumination As Ritual in full early. Each stop on the tour sold out in a few hours[4]
In interviews, Rose described the EP as an outlet for candid emotional expression, blending alt-pop hooks with confessional lyricism. Critics later noted that the songs combined raw, personal narratives with polished pop production.[5][6][2]
Writing and Production
The first single off the EP "Eat Me Alive" is a catchy pop song that Alessi stated that its about "fancying people who don’t like her back." Under the Radar[6] described “Eat Me Alive” as an “oozing love song” and a “twisted ballad,” highlighting how Alessi Rose mournfully “begs for the lovesick ruin she’s still dicing with.” The review praises the emotional depth and vulnerability the track sets as the EP’s opening mood. The single was first played on BBC Radio's Future Pop with Mollie King on January 25, along with the announcement Rose would be playing Latitude Festival the upcoming summer.[7]
The second track off the EP "The Pit" is one of the darker, moodier cuts from Rumination As Ritual, built around a simmering alt-pop production and a measured vocal delivery. Northern Exposure[5] stated that "The Pit is an emotionally charged track that adopts a much more acoustic and gentler approach". Northern Exposure praises Alessi for her direct approach to lyrical matter. CRUSH! the only promotional single from the EP. The song talks about the thrill of someone having a crush on you. Alessi personally describes the song in an interview with Clash as "the biggest most outrageous pop song on the ep and teases the idea of someone thinking you’re in love with them when it’s actually the other way around. It’s about being desirable yet totally unbothered. It’s super fun and mocks those people who think everyone’s in love with them"[2]. Rose first teased the song during her first ever headline show at St. Pancras Old Church[8] where she performed the song in full[9].
"CRUSH!" is followed by the fourth song on the EP called "Break Me". Alessi states the song as an exploration of knowingly entering a relationship that is emotionally insincere, yet choosing to continue the relationship despite the awareness[10]. The song has been praised by fans and critics such as the Northern Exposure Magazine[5]. The next song "Situationship" is one of the fan-favorites on the EP. Under the Radar[6] feels the song is "a combination of Olivia Rodrigo and Gracie Abrams." Alessi has said that Gracie has inspired her in a lot of ways regarding her writing and the way she goes through the music industry[3].
The closing track on the EP is "Lucy" which is a super chill guitar-focused song about a girl Alessi used to love/hate back in her school in Derby[11]. Alessi first posted an acoustic version of the song on TikTok before surprise dropping the song on May 8, 2024 along with announcing her debut EP Rumination As Ritual that was set to come out July 3rd 2024.
Toby Bryant of Under the Radar rated the EP 10 out of 10, describing it as “pop prodigy stuff” and praising Alessi’s ability to “pack remarkable personality into just 17 minutes of music.” He highlighted “Eat Me Alive” as “oozing love,” “Lucy” as “a heartfelt letter to a love rival — à la ‘Jolene’ — with striking vulnerability,” and “CRUSH!” as minimalistic yet emotionally potent.[13]
Keira Knox of Northern Exposure Magazine referred to Alessi as “the new IT girl of pop,” appreciating the EP’s “raw honesty” and “emotional ferocity.” Knox referred to “The Pit” as revealing “intimate depth with a gentler, acoustic touch,” while characterizing “CRUSH!” as a fiery, anthemic alt-pop track.[14]
Active users on Album of the Year reflected a positive listening experience, with “Eat Me Alive,”“The Pit,” and “CRUSH!” receiving particularly high scores. Rumination As Ritual has a good score of 70/100 based on 61 ratings from fans all across the globe.[15]
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