BLOND:ISH’s Never Walk Alone is Vivie-ann Bakos’ first full-length as a solo artist since her former partner, Anstascia D’Elene Corniere, left the project in 2019. More than a change in personnel, it’s a shift in sound and perspective from their 2015 debut album, Welcome to the Present. Whereas BLOND:ISH’s early music embodied the pulsating darkness of after-hours parties, Bakos now finds inspiration in the golden hour to craft house music that shines among sunsets, open spaces and moments of connection. Guided by BLOND:ISH’s belief that everything is energy, Never Walk Alone is built on warmth and a kind of quiet intention. Its title track, meant to serve as a friend in times of anxiety and loneliness, is as much a rallying cry as it is a hand on the shoulder, with a chorus that loops like a mantra: “Can’t do without you/We will never walk alone.” Pep talks continue with “Self Love”, an invitation to rediscover one’s own worth, and “Different Way”, which finds optimism in life’s unique journeys. “Higher” is physically and emotionally stirring, pairing its lone refrain (“You take me higher, baby”) with sky-scraping strings and perforating drums. Elsewhere, Afro-house rhythms set the stage for deeper, more intimate moments like “Kimbe” and “How Does It Feel”, which foster connection through romance. “We Watch” is the LP’s heaviest moment, a gritty synthline underscoring its need for introspection: “You watch everything/You watch idly/Do you want it to change?” It’s the kind of tough love that reminds you that in hard times, sometimes the best friend you can have is yourself.