Today, Brooklyn-based alt-pop singer-songwriter, Sabrina Song, shares her first single, the contemplative track, “Doors” and its accompanying video, from her forthcoming EP due out this winter. The tune finds Song reckoning with the desire to hold on to herself in the midst of an unhealthy relationship trying not to let one small action lead to its demise. “Doors” also features Song’s own writing and production, and instrumentation, including the bass lines and drums.

Sabrina Song, who cites Mitski, Lucy Dacus and Carole King as inspirations, has released two EPs–Undone, and How’s It Going To End?, in 2019 and 2020 respectively, consistently transcending her prior work with the next. She made a splash in 2021 with her single, “Thaw,” which caught the attention of acclaimed indie singer-songwriter, Phoebe Bridgers after Song performed it on NPR’s 2021 Tiny Desk Contest and led to a feature in NPR’s Top Shelf series on All Songs Considered. Song has also performed regularly around New York City, including a successful string of opening slots for Moon Kissed at Elsewhere Zone One, Hannah Jadagu at the Sultan Room, and Sarah Kinsley at Mercury Lounge. She finished 2021 with NYLON‘s premiere of “Good Night,” who wrote the track is a “lovely, delicate electronic-pop track,” inspired by nights out in Brooklyn and the transition in and out of isolation, and in 2022, Song performed as an official artist at SXSW. Today, Sabrina Song, who is the sole writer and producer behind her work, is ready to bring listeners into her promising world, on her terms.

“Doors,” sees Song gently explore toxicity, reckoning with ways to address a relationship that has remained unsustainable. A quiet edge exists throughout the track, where listeners may find themselves waiting for the beat to pick up, or explode, but it never does, brilliantly capturing the feelings evoked by the lyricism and song itself. 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. The chorus shows that feeling you have when you just need to get out of a situation and be alone to process: “I don’t care how it sounds, I just want to go home.”

Through soft vocals and a bubbling melody, Sabrina Song is able to put words to a nuanced and difficult emotional relationship. Here, she masterfully examines the complexities and frustrations of love of any kind. She sings, “But I’ve never said the things you said / And how do we forgive and forget / When you’re a different person than the one I met.” Song looks at change and disappointment directly, beautifully voicing her concerns in her signature, relatable and cathartic way.

Speaking to the title and instrumentation of the track, Song adds, “The title “Doors” refers to the line in the chorus “Leave the doors alone,” which is a plea to stop slamming doors and losing your temper. I wanted the song to have this feeling of restraint and frustration, almost like you’re waiting for the song to bubble over and lose its cool, but it never does. I played all of the instruments on this song live, including all of the bass lines and drums.”

Watch “Doors” (Official Music Video)

The music video, directed by Zac Dov Wiesel, sees Song reliving high school moments, from getting ready for prom, to high school football games, a birthday party and more. One of the high school football players can be seen throughout the video, with whom things continually seem tense.

Explaining the idea behind the video, Wiesel adds, “We wanted to capture this time in adolescence that is filled with such an odd mix of feelings. To portray something that is so serious yet so silly. Capture something that feels so real and is also filled with artifice. We imagined a lot of these scenes like moments frozen in time, like photographs. What does it look like to be winning but also be so hurt?”

Tying the song into the video, Wiesel continues, “The song is about how the little actions a toxic person does can feel so big. We wanted to portray something that could be perceived as silly with real weight. We always wanted to create a mixture of tones, and I feel like that makes people uncomfortable, and I love that.”

Speaking to the video’s juxtaposition of winning while also losing, Song explains, “We wanted to show these hyperbolized scenes of winning and success, and contrast them with the presence of this one intrusive figure. That feeling of everything going great, and having this one person who’s capable of spoiling every moment.” With the visual paired with the track, Song captures the intricacies of walking away from something that can feel good, but ultimately causes pain as she finds the strength to choose herself.

With “Doors” Sabrina Song flees something that no longer serves her as she dives into a layered world of her own, gearing up to expand on her imaginative artistry and invite listeners along for the ride. “Doors” is out everywhere now and Song is just getting started. Stay tuned for much more from the emerging musician, including her forthcoming EP due out this winter. Connect with Sabrina Song on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.