Lauren Alex Hooper Releases New EP ‘Too Much And Not Enough, Vol. 1’ – Backseat Mafia

Alt-pop artist and songwriter Lauren Alex Hooper releases the new EP Too Much And Not Enough, Vol. 1 

A powerful five-track that marks her most personal and resonant work to date. With this project, Hooper doesn’t just share songs; she shares herself. Drawing from her lived experience as an autistic woman, the EP dives deep into the emotional terrain of neurodivergence with honesty, clarity, and a quiet but undeniable strength. In a pop landscape that too often glosses over complexity, Hooper offers something different: a raw, nuanced, and deeply human portrait of life lived in contrast to the neurotypical norm.

Hooper’s musical identity — built on a foundation of indie-pop textures, singer-songwriter intimacy, and a disarming lyrical openness — shines through in every track. But this collection carries a particular urgency. Too Much And Not Enough, Vol. 1 is more than a cathartic release; it’s an offering to others like her, who may have spent years not seeing their experiences reflected in music. “Growing up, I couldn’t find any music that I related to,” Hooper shares. “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.”

Hooper’s EP is a deeply intimate exploration of autistic experience, opening with ‘Armour’, a haunting meditation on the emotional toll of masking and the constant effort to fit in. The stripped-back arrangement and raw lyricism offer a powerful glimpse into a reality often overlooked. The vulnerability continues in ‘Eye To Eye’, where the seemingly simple act of eye contact becomes a potent metaphor for fear, trust, and the longing for connection. ‘The Loneliest Whale’, inspired by the true story of a whale whose song goes unanswered, extends this sense of alienation into a poignant reflection on solitude and the hope of finding resonance in unexpected places. Across these tracks, Hooper crafts a compelling sonic narrative of survival, self-awareness, and quiet resilience.

Beyond the music, Hooper continues her mission of building understanding through her blog Finding Hope, where she documents life with autism, chronic illness, and mental health challenges. That mission pulses through Too Much And Not Enough, Vol. 1, which feels like a rallying cry wrapped in melody — not loud or angry, but insistent, intimate, and brave. For those who’ve long felt like their stories were too much, or not enough, Hooper offers a reminder that they’re exactly right, just as they are.

Listen below:

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