There are numerous reasons to listen to musical artists who are women or identify as female, be it gender discrimination or the wage gap that still persists across the music industry. It is especially important to listen to and support emerging artists who swim in the same ocean as artists like Taylor Swift and Lana Del Rey. The debut album from Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Sabrina Song is the perfect record for listeners who enjoy pop music in the idiom of indie-folk rock on the brink of mass appeal.
The record, You Could Stay In One Spot, and I’d Love You The Same, is an expertly crafted collection of ten tracks shining with songwriting excellence. Sabrina Song‘s proficiency is certainly a tribute to her longevity as an artist, having released multiple singles and EPs since 2018. Standouts from her previous work include the single “Strawberry,” released in August 2022, and the 2020 EP How’s It Going to End? In November 2022, she was awarded a grant from the NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre, which largely contributed to bringing her debut full-length album to life. You Could Stay In One Spot, and I’d Love You The Same is being released independently will be available everywhere this Friday, June 7.
Four tracks from the album have already been released as singles. “It Was Not A Beautiful Night” features the perfect combo of a simple bassline and subdued drumming that reminds me of the drums on any given Fiona Apple track. I love the fuzzed out guitars during the non-lyrical chorus of this song. “Busy Work” is the latest release from Sabrina Song. The combination of acoustic guitar and electronic drums, synth bass is especially effective on this catchy tune. “Yellowstone” is a perfect example of a folk-forward and simple tune. Sabrina‘s voice is flawlessly supported by finger picked guitar and the occasional sustained piano or back-up vocals. The emotional ballad “Okay, Okay” is a focal point of the record. The full band mentality is strong on the song’s orchestration, complete with vocal harmonies, keyboard, and lead guitars. You can watch her Tiny Desk submission video of “Okay, Okay” below.
The album begins with the heartfelt song “Before And After”. The piano driven tune has a particularly catchy descending melody during the chorus and I love the field recorded wind chimes during the song’s outro. In a similar fashion, Sabrina Song concludes the record with the stripped-down, strummed acoustic guitar song “Happy To Be Here”. Bookending the album with emotional tunes, one with piano and the other with acoustic guitar, is an accurate encapsulation of the artist’s strength as a musician and producer.
Two of my favorite new tracks from Sabrina Song are at the center of the album: “Yes Man” and “Rage”. Steady, palm-muted electric guitar and stripped down drumming introduce “Yes Man” as the song gradually molds into a superb mid-tempo indie-pop anthem. Imagine Phoebe Bridgers but sprinkled with the sound of 90s artists like Liz Phair and Ani DiFranco. “Rage” proceeds gradually from Sabrina accompanying herself on electric piano into a lush soundscape of strings as the bridge cascades into the final chorus. Her vibrato and the instrumentation on “Rage” gives off a Billie Eilish vibe while not sounding too over-produced. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to each of the soon to be released songs that make up Sabrina‘s album.
In You Could Stay In One Spot, and I’d Love You The Same, Sabrina Song has crafted a debut that is both personal and universal, marking her status as a compelling and rising voice in the music industry. Her ability to blend heartfelt lyrics with lush soundscapes makes this album a must-listen. As the title suggests, you are going to want to stay in one spot and have this album on repeat all summer.
Be sure to catch Sabrina Song live in concert on June 15 at Union Pool in Brooklyn for her record release show. Stream You Could Stay In One Spot, and I’d Love You The Same everywhere on June 7 and listen to the latest release, “Busy Work”, here.
The Indy Review 
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