Raven Clemons

Photo by Bao Ngo

Brooklyn-based alt-pop singer-songwriter Sabrina Song released her third EP When It All Comes Crashing Down. With a voice described as “unapologetic vulnerability,” Sabrina Song has spent years cultivating her sound by writing and recording material on her own time. She produced, wrote and engineered the EP herself, drawing from musical influences of Mitski, Lucy Dacus and Carole King. 

Song shares, “’When It All Comes Crashing Down,” which is a kind of hyperbolic way of saying that sometimes you need to let certain people and stressors go to make room for the ones you care about in your life. In terms of production, I ventured out of my comfort zone by creating new sounds, experimenting with playing guitar and bass elements on my songs for the first time, and practicing restraint at the same time.”

The four-track EP might be out of Song’s comfort zone, but after a listen, there’s no hint of that anywhere. The indie-pop EP finds Song advocating for herself in her platonic and romantic relationship through melodramatic songs that captivate her discovering self-strength. 

Just to know you.

The opening track of the EP, “To Know You,” features Song’s guitar playing for the first time in her music production. The track reflects the presence of the small moments in life, and it’s okay because she’s with her favorite person. Being comfortable with someone else makes the mundane things in life meaningful.  

In the first verse, Song writes about doing ordinary tasks like taking the time to make the bed and keeping life candid for her and her significant other.

When it all comes crashing down / We’ll make the bed / Take our time / Turn the lights off to save power / Give ourselves another hour / When it all comes crashing down / We’ll resign to simple life

The singer-songwriter touches on finding the beauty in nothing. It serves as a reminder that life doesn’t have to be so fast-paced, especially with the person you love. 

I don’t care how it sounds, I just want to go home.

“Doors” – the middle track and the EP’s first single are about an unhealthy relationship. Song explains, “‘Doors’ is about a toxic relationship where no matter what you do or say, they are never satisfied. I reference specific moments throughout my life where it feels as though I was letting someone down or being let down myself, yet was still made to feel as though it was my fault.”

Song dives into her experience in toxic relationships as she finally chooses herself. She relinquishes the cycle of ending a bad relationship and moving on without imploding emotions.

Fighting over FaceTime / Spending every night with my friends / Finding love and then I lose it / Holding all my feelings in a single frame

Strawberry, California. Seven hours on the plane. I’m still thinking about you. 

The third track, “Strawberry,” is inspired by the struggles of a relationship where there’s constant arguing and intolerance of bad behavior. “I wanted the song to show that I would not accept it,” Song says. 

In the chorus, the songwriter talks about how she won’t miss out on things in life because of the relationship. Too often, she skips out on happy moments because of the person she is dating at the time.

I’m not missing the sunset / I’m not missing that for you

Photo by Nalia Colas

Dragging you with me when I go down.

“Down” closes out the EP with much to reflect on. The vulnerable lyrics expose the worst fears when falling in love, which spirals into the uneasiness of the “Is this person going to like me when I am at my worst?” question. It’s easy to be with someone when they are at their best. 

It’s unnerving to be vulnerable with someone for the first time. Song puts those emotions into words. Her stunning vocals explain her deepest fears about when her partner sees her at her worst, will she drag them down with her?

What I hear in your silence is tolerance, is pity / All the words in my mouth get stuck in my throat / Til I swallow them whole / ‘Cause when you met me, I was radiant / At my best / And ever since I fear, I fear / Dragging you with me when I go down

Sabrina’s vocals are soft yet strong and bring depth to the storytelling of the EP. Each of the four tracks can stand alone as a solid piece of work, but listening to them in order – from start to end – and forming the whole picture is special. The tracks are gentle and understated yet laced with meaning and emotion. 

The forthcoming third EP, ‘When It All Comes Crashing Down,’ by Sabrina Song, is out everywhere.