Reintroducing herself with deliberate focus, Angel City – the vocal alias of Lara McAllen – steps back into dance music carrying both memories of early-2000s chart success and a sharpened sense of authorship.
Photo credit: Angel City – Official
Best known for hits such as ‘Love Me Right’ and ‘Sunrise’, she now shapes every facet of her work, determined to honour the sound that first won listeners while opening space for fresh collaborations.
After more than a decade away, Lara is reconnecting with the community that once boosted her into club rotations and televised performances. Early supporters have welcomed her return, encouraging her to balance nostalgic elements with modern production and, above all, to speak in her own artistic voice. In this conversation, Angel City opens up about rebuilding that dialogue, recording on her own terms, and proving that a second act can start at any age.
EG: Hi Lara! Welcome to EG! How are things with you?
Angel City: Hi! Things have been exciting over the last couple of weeks as I’ve finally released more new music. I really enjoyed our release weekend because the support for ‘Dream Away’ has been so encouraging.
EG: How does it feel to be reconnected with your audience after so many years away?
Angel City: My favorite part of coming back to music is reconnecting with the early fans. They have so many nostalgic memories about Angel City and the 2000s sound in dance music, and they are encouraging me to make new music with a nod to where I left off!
EG: You’ve spoken about your original fans embracing your return. How have those early connections influenced the way you’re approaching this new chapter?
Angel City: The original fans have definitely led me to think that I won’t stray too far away from where I came from. Although it’s natural to evolve, I’ve really considered what they’ve said and looked for ways to bridge the gap between nostalgic and current.
EG: Since stepping away from the industry for over a decade, do you feel that your life experiences have changed the way you connect through your lyrics and vocal delivery?
Angel City: I was very young when I recorded my early music, and I didn’t get a chance to voice my creative thoughts very loudly. I regret not being bolder because I had plenty of ideas. Everything I am releasing now has evolved with my own creative input, and that feels really good. My vocal delivery is different because my voice has naturally changed, and I often record alone so I can focus solely on what I’m singing. When I do record with a producer, it’s with people I feel completely at ease with.
“My favorite part of coming back to music is reconnecting with the early fans”
EG: With a new generation discovering Angel City, how do you bridge nostalgia and contemporary relevance in your music?
Angel City: I’ve enjoyed experimenting with iconic sounds from the ’90s and ’00s and mixing them with current production elements. These echoes also resonate with today’s teens because they grew up hearing their parents’ 90s tunes. It was funny to learn that Amy Wiles, who collaborated with me on ‘Dream Away’, watched me on Top of the Pops when she was ten. We’re a decade apart, yet we share many influences.
EG: Social media now plays a huge role in artist-fan interaction. What’s your approach to engaging authentically online?
Angel City: I’ve only just joined TikTok, so I’m finding my people again, and they really engage with old footage from music videos and TV shows. Nostalgia is everything! Beyond that, I like to get up close and simply tell people what’s happening. We recently invited questions for a Q&A through social media, which was great fun. It’s tempting to only promote your music, but we should be thanking fans by posting with the aim of entertaining them. I try to keep that in mind.
EG: When working with other producers and vocalists, what do you value most in building a creative connection?
Angel City: Communication is key from the outset. It’s much more enjoyable if you have a good connection, and the outcome of that bond always shines through.
EG: Are there any moments since your return that have reminded you why you came back to music?
Angel City: Artists often overthink things. I remember feeling overwhelmed and receiving the sweetest message from someone who said there is something truly feel-good about Angel City music and that ‘Sunrise’ was their pick-me-up track as a teenager. They were so happy to see me back. How lovely is that?
“It’s never too late”
EG: How do you maintain honesty and vulnerability in your songwriting while still crafting something that connects universally?
Angel City: I don’t think about it like that; I just write whatever I feel coming through and hope there’s a hook we can work with.
EG: Looking ahead, what kind of impact or sense of community do you hope to build through this next chapter of Angel City?
Angel City: I want to convey that you can absolutely start over again if you want to. There’s a myth that once you hit 35 you must stay on the same path. It is scary to come back—I delayed it for years out of fear of failure—but I hope to encourage people to step toward their goals no matter their age. It’s never too late.
Angel City’s ‘Dream Away’ is out now on Anjunabeats. Stream and download here.
