Debbie Dawson's new song, "How to Be Human," would be its anthem If vulnerability could be set to music, The up-and-coming singer-songwriter, who's made a name for herself with gorgeous vocals and a dog-eared sound that runs counter to any epoch she arrives in, is back with a deeply personal lament that feels at once dusty and daringly new.
Dawson's knack for integrating nostalgic influences and contemporary sensibilities glows more intensely than ever. With its wistful storytelling channeling the likes of Dolly Parton and ethereal, dreamlike production channeling ABBA's golden period, "How to Be Human" is heartbreak and hope in equal measure. Over a delicately layered instrumental, Dawson unpacks the confusion, longing, and beauty of simply being alive, making this one of her most affecting releases so far.
After a breakthrough, during which she released her second EP and the singles "Walla Walla" and the great "The Great Magician," Dawson is set to have an even bigger 2025. And with a supporting spot on Role Model's No Place Like Tour, which starts in February, she's about to reach an even wider audience that will surely fall under her spell.
In a world that can sometimes seem chaotic and uncertain, "How to be human" is a gentle reminder that we're all just figuring it out. And with Dawson at the helm, the trip sounds much sweeter.