Sarah Shafey doesn't just write music, she constructs immersive worlds that drag you in, word by word. With the release of "Underwater" the latest single from her forthcoming debut album, "Paper Bag Princess" Shafey offers a dreamlike plunge into emotional complexity, self-assessment, and an understated push and pull between strength and surrender.
Classically trained and fearless, Shafey is known for striking a balance of delicate string intricacy against bold production, and "Underwater" is no exception. The track begins on a whisper, feeling almost aquatic, before blossoming into a rich soundscape that demonstrates Shafey's knack for melody and taut atmospherics. Her vocals glide in and out like a held breath, aching and powerful, and oddly comforting. It's the sound of someone not drowning but journeying to explore the depths. Shafey plays the album's rhythm guitar parts herself, a reflection of her all-in, hands-on approach to creativity. Co-produced by longtime cohorts Jess Boomen and Kyle Ashbourne, and featuring one track produced by Glass Tiger's Michael Hanson, also a recent inductee into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, "Paper Bag Princess" showcases a brilliant collaboration of talent. But in "Underwater," it's Shafey's artistic fingerprint that is most prevalent, hopeful, complex, yet clear.
"Underwater" echoes the cryptic riddles scattered throughout the rest of the record. Shafey never lectures, she allows the metaphors some room to breathe. These are not lyrics that breeze by you, they're asking you to freeze and bear the weight of what's unspoken. This is intentional. That split between depth and playfulness, between openness and power, is what makes "Underwater" so effective.