Philine Sonny Channels Raw Anger on “Outrun” | Debut Album ‘Virgin Lake’ Out April 3 via Nettwerk
January 16, 2026 BY Emma Orland
German-based indie artist Philine Sonny returns with “Outrun,” a fierce and unfiltered new single lifted from her forthcoming debut album, Virgin Lake, out April 3 via Nettwerk.
Direct and confrontational, “Outrun” captures Philine at her most visceral—transforming anger into a cathartic release. Driven by a hard-driving rhythm and sharp, cutting guitar lines, the song embraces rage without apology. It’s ferocious and raw, harnessing confrontation as a form of clarity rather than compromise.
Speaking about the single, Philine shares:
“‘Outrun’ is a raw song that explores anger, frustration and rage in a way that I haven’t allowed myself before. It’s mean and one-sided but true and important for me to make.”
Partially inspired by Benedict Wells’ novel Hard Land, Virgin Lake is a portrait of the singer’s personal growth in the face of familial estrangement and the spectrum of emotions that entails: anger, sorrow, grief, compassion, and understanding. Philine’s path mirrors Wells’ teenage literary protagonist, Sam, who, in an attempt to distance himself from troubles at home, finds himself among new friends, a first love, and a renewed (more adult) perspective on his own family. Across Virgin Lake’s 14 tracks, Philine charts her own path from pain and confusion toward empathy and acceptance.
On Virgin Lake, Philine Sonny reveals:
“‘Virgin Lake’ is the boldest statement I’ve made so far. It’s a coming-of-age record that follows my own journey from rage and disillusionment toward transformation and acceptance. I wanted to guide myself through the process of growing up and letting go of the past. The album unfolds in four parts — youthful defiance, bitter disillusionment, renewal through new people and memories, and finally, learning to accept life’s imperfections. The title and the order of the songs were inspired by Benedict Wells’ novel ‘Hard Land,’ an idea that really took shape while I was on a solo trip to Norway in the summer of 2024.”
“Outrun” follows a run of standout 2025 singles that reveal Philine Sonny’s emotional range. “Weak Spot” is gentle and confessional, stripping back the noise to face accountability and the quiet work of change. “Rush Hour Traffic” tenderly explores the helplessness of watching someone you love spiral out of control, pairing organic instrumentation with a subtle saxophone refrain to capture the ache of empathy. On “Gatekeeper,” Philine turns frustration into a hypnotic, upbeat anthem of defiance—calling out the ways women are dismissed in the music industry and flipping that experience into a fearless rallying cry of self-respect.
Philine Sonny’s Virgin Lake LP is out April 3, 2026.
LISTEN TO “OUTRUN”:
https://philinesonny.ffm.to/outrun
PRE-SAVE VIRGIN LAKE LP:
https://philinesonny.ffm.to/virginlake
Virgin Lake LP Tracklisting:
1. The Band
2. Outrun
3. All the Ways I Break
4. Eye for an Eye
5. Weak Spot
6. September
7. Back Then (I Was Something)
8. Gatekeeper
9. Rush Hour Traffic
10. I MISS YOU
11. Rotten Fruit
12. Water to a Seed
13. Dog Bite
14. Made for You
About Philine Sonny:
Philine Sonny is a 24-year-old German-born alt/indie singer, songwriter, and producer whose music transforms raw emotion into expansive, magnetic pop. She first introduced herself with her self-produced EPs Lose Yourself (2022) and Invader (2024), earning praise from Ones To Watch, Under The Radar, and Atwood Magazine, alongside prominent playlist support from Spotify’s All New Indie, Fresh Finds, and Today’s Indie Rock.
A captivating live performer, Philine has played festivals including SXSW and Reeperbahn, supported artists such as Ian Hooper and Medium Build, and launched her first European headline tour in 2024. Later that year, she teamed up with Nettwerk labelmate Miya Folick on the standalone single “Shame,” which garnered additional acclaim from Rolling Stone, Consequence, Northern Transmissions, and more.
Drawing inspiration from Sam Fender, Clairo, Holly Humberstone, Bleachers, and her lifelong hero Bruce Springsteen, Philine Sonny pairs hypnotic soundscapes with heartfelt lyricism—emerging as one of Germany’s most compelling new indie voices as she prepares to release her debut album, Virgin Lake, this spring.
