Lauren Alex Hooper Releases Bold and Vulnerable New EP, Too Much And Not Enough, Vol. 1
Alt-pop artist and songwriter Lauren Alex Hooper today releases her most personal project to date: Too Much And Not Enough, Vol. 1 — a vivid, emotional, and unflinching five-track EP exploring the nuanced reality of being an autistic woman in a world built for neurotypicals.
With her signature blend of emotional honesty, indie-pop sensibility, and singer-songwriter intimacy, Hooper opens a rare and needed window into autistic experience. From the isolating burden of masking in “Armour” to the sensory overload captured in “Overexposed,” the EP doesn’t just document; it reaches out — offering solace and connection to others who may see themselves reflected for the first time in song.
“Growing up, I couldn’t find any music that I related to and it wasn’t until I was diagnosed as autistic – among other things – that I realised why: nobody was writing about autistic experiences. So I decided that that was what I needed to do: for those going through experiences similar to my own, for my younger self, and for my current self. And it became clear very quickly that this project is only the beginning of this journey.”
Tracklist
Armour – A haunting reflection on the survival mechanism of masking — hiding one’s autistic traits in an effort to blend in — and how hard it is to let go of that self-protective armour, even when it’s weighing you down.
Eye To Eye – An intense but emotionally raw track exploring the vulnerability of eye contact and what it means for connection, identity, and safety when something so everyday can feel so confronting.
The Loneliest Whale – Inspired by the real story of a whale whose song no other whales can understand, this track is a moving metaphor for the isolation many autistic people feel — and the surprising sense of community that can come from a shared understanding of loneliness.
Overexposed – A shimmering yet melancholic track that speaks to sensory overwhelm and emotional hypersensitivity — characteristics often misunderstood but intrinsic to Hooper’s way of experiencing the world.
Last One Standing – Written from the perspective of a long-time special interest fictional character, this song is a love letter to autistic passion, perseverance, and self-belief in the face of societal misrepresentation.