Before And After

Sabrina Song

June 19, 2024

Review by: Chino Flor

Photo Credit: Livy Wicks

Sabrina Song is an alt-pop Brooklyn-based singer, songwriter, and producer that emerged as a rising start with an early trilogy of EPs—2019’s Undone, 2020’s How’s It Going to End?, and 2022’s When It All Comes Crashing Down. Song has now released her debut album You Could Stay In One Spot, and I’d Love You The Same that focuses on existential thoughts and murky relationship dynamics as she experiences life changes between 2021-2023 while the album was being written.

“Before And After” is the first song of the album that is filled with so much depth and emotion. It is rationalizing hardships to make believe things happen for a reason. “Force it to make sense, giving up anger. No more reason, just before and after.” The lyrics hit hard if you’ve ever experienced these frustrations and try to be hopeful as you process the emotions that come with it. The mood isn’t overall melancholic and Sabrina’s voice is very calming and soothing, blending well with the warmth of piano and soft drum beats. It is a very captivating song that I enjoyed listening to as I drank a coffee on a cloudy day.

Song began taking piano and violin lessons while participating in community theater productions at a young age. She started songwriting as a teen and was drawn to singer-songwriters like Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and Mitski for their deeply personal and narrative-driven lyricism. You can follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.