Sarah Kinsley’s ‘Realms’: The Final Preview of Her Spellbinding Album
Acclaimed New York singer/songwriter and producer Sarah Kinsley recently unveiled “Realms” — the stunning, mystical and final single before her first full-length album Escaper arrives on Sept. 6
“Realms” follows the singles “Last Time We Never Meet Again” and “Starling.” Both tracks amplify what Kinsley excels in — elastic, ethereal lead vocals, shimmery production and a distinctly cinematic feel. Luckily for fans of Kinsley, “Realms” adheres to these qualities while expanding into an even grander symphony.
PHOTO BY DILLON MATTHEW
Throughout her career, Kinsley’s music has acted as a private diary and a connective force. In “Realms,” Kinsley gracefully explores introspective themes that most people experience, yet few make public — namely, the contrasting lives that other universes could offer us.
“‘Realms’ is a question of all the infinite possibilities of alternate universes and parallel planes. In another world, maybe I’m not a musician, maybe I’m a dentist, a graduate student, a barista, a child, a memory, an experience, a thing that never occurred, a person that never was! These are unknown eternities of who we might be in some other realm,” said Kinsley.
Kinsley’s thought patterns capture what Sylvia Plath set out to convey in her famous fig tree analogy, and what humans have questioned for decades; how many paths lie in front of us, and how do we know if we’ve chosen correctly?
While Kinsley’s lyrics are thematically existential, they’re also tinted with romanticism. Through her notably sincere vocal delivery, she imagines another realm where the person she desires loves her well, openly and honestly. She sings:
“In some other realm, you are waiting for me / I’m not ashamed of it now, you aren’t afraid to love me”
Escaper marks the first time Kinsley invited a collaborator into her sacred realm of music production. She brought on Grammy-award-winning producer John Congleton — known for his work with Angel Olsen, St. Vincent and Sharon Van Etten — to bring a fresh perspective to the project.
“I had made every single EP from scratch, in the sweetness of my apartment. This record was meant to be grand and unstoppable. A beginning descent into freefall. Why protect that feeling in solitude? Why not invite another into that journey?” said Kinsley.
Kinsley’s latest release is undoubtedly “grand and unstoppable.” The track combines harmonious string swells, crashing drums and resonant electric guitar — a hypnotic mixture of Kinsley’s classical, pop and indie rock influences. While sounding fresh and organic, the song evokes the same alluring gut punch of an expansive orchestra.
“Realms” sounds as irresistible, mysterious and larger-than-life as the alternate worlds and lovers that Kinsley sings about. Experience the enchantment by listening to the track below and fall into Escaper’s full world on Sept. 6.
