“I know the best days are ahead of us,” pop star Sarah Reeves belts out on her title and first track out of her new record ‘Best Days,’ and the last song at her recent album showcase at London’s Camden Club. Throughout the 20-minute-long set, Reeves was pulling the audience in, minute by minute, with honest song backstories and down-to-earth energy.
The performance of ‘Best Days’ made for a remarkable live experience. Due to the song’s anthemic nature and hopeful messaging, Reeves had the entire room sing along at the top of their lungs, quietly manifesting a better future for themselves with their hands in the air.
‘Best Days’ is a 16-track-long pop manifesto on heartbreak, new beginnings, a newfound zest for life, and the alluring curiosity of what might happen next. Inspired by the Los Angeles talent pool, bright lights, and the never-setting sun, alongside co-writers such as Taylor Hill, Reeves encased the fun recording atmosphere with an extra layer of healing ingredients.
“I sing from a different and deeper place on this album than I ever have before,” she states in our interview, letting us into the vault of her recent life-altering moments. ‘Best Days’ is Reeves’ most poised and star-to-finish masterpiece of her career. It goes as far as saying Sarah Reeves is reborn.
Congratulations on the release of your new album ‘Best Days,’ how do you feel about it being out for everyone to hear?
I am very happy to have this project out. This album is full of ups and downs, mixed emotions, fun, happy and sad with organic instrumentation mixed with electronic pop elements woven throughout. I sing from a different and deeper place on this album than I ever have before. I hope it inspires every person who listens. I believe the best days are truly ahead of us.
What is your favourite lyric you’ve ever written?
I don’t know if I have a favorite lyric, but the first thought that comes to mind is from my song “Get Back Your Fight”. The lyric “singing myself heartbreak songs, got a voice I can’t avoid it, helps me heal so I exploit it.” It’s very honest and I think it grabs people’s attention because it’s conversational.
What does this project mean to you?
This project is very special and significant to me. I didn’t put a ton of pressure on myself for this one and just told myself to have fun. But there are also very raw and emotional songs that were very healing to me in a dark and scary season of going through a divorce. I hope people can find their own stories in some of these songs and find healing too.
What was different about putting this album together compared to your previous records?
I worked with only a few people for this one and kept my team pretty tight. That was very intentional. I think the music is a result of the fun we had making it and that is something that feels special and unique to this project.
What was it like recording it in Los Angeles?
It’s very inspiring there. The sun is always shining and the weather feels great. There is also so much talent in that city so I love going there to make music.
On this project, you dig deeper and open old wounds, what topics were especially difficult to write about?
I’m always very open and honest when I write. It’s actually more difficult to not write about something deep and real. So I wouldn’t say it was difficult. If anything it was beautiful and therapeutic to write about struggles. I know if it helped me in those moments how much more will it help someone else going through the same thing. That is what motivates me.
What inspired you to take full control and immerse yourself in production on top of songwriting?
Production is always something I’ve said I wanted to do one day. Last year I moved into a new place and felt more inspired to start diving into not just top lining (writing lyrics and melody) but also doing the track. I don’t like always being dependent on someone else if I’m inspired in the moment so I decided it’s time to teach myself and make it happen on my own. It’s been so fun to explore and enter a whole new level of songwriting.
What are your current singles ‘Billboards On Sunset’ and ‘Zuma Beach’ inspired by?
My song, Billboards On Sunset all started with the title. I was staying on Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles and looked out the window and saw all the billboards and flashing lights on the building. I wrote down the title in my notes and later brought into a songwriting session with my co-writers. We decided to make it a fun, dancy pop song with a little attitude about trying so hard to love someone but it just never seems to be good enough for them.
My song Zuma Beach is one of the most emotional and personal songs I’ve ever written. I wrote most of my album out in Los Angeles and at the same time I was recording, I was also at the beginning of going through a divorce. I looked up safe and clean beaches around the area and Zuma Beach popped up. I started going there to just think and pray and it gave me so much peace. This song is the end of a chapter in my life but also the beginning of an even more beautiful story that I’m still writing today. Later I found out, Zuma actually means peace.
‘Best Days’ has two features by Taylor Hill and Social House, how did these come about?
Taylor Hill was one of my main producers and co-writers for this project but he’s also an incredible artist. When we were writing “Back in Time”, it felt right to have him sing on the track as well and it is one of my favorites on the project.
Social House was a part of writing “Triggered” on the project and it was so fun to write that one with them. I asked them to jump on as a feature and they said yes! I love how that one turned out.
The inspiring track ‘Get Back Your Fight’ had its own viral moment. What is your stance on the current role of social media, TikTok in particular in terms of promoting musicians?
I think it is an amazing resource that every artist should be using. I complained about it for years and then finally decided to give it a try. After many posts, something finally clicked and it has been worth the time and work I’ve put into it. It is also a great way to connect with fans that may never get to see the artist live.
You’ve been in the industry for over 10 years now, Looking back, what advice would you give to Sarah who was only starting out?
I would say don’t rush the
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Words: Karolina Kramplova