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Singer-songwriter Gigi Perez makes a poetic debut with her self-produced debut album, At The Beach, In Every Life. The powerful body of work explores themes of grief, faith, love, and loss. She processes the aftermath of losing her sister, whose voice memos are threaded throughout the project. Over twelve tracks, she reflects on the last five years of her life, from signing her first major label deal during the pandemic to getting dropped and returning home to Florida to start over.

"This is the album I needed to listen to when I was twenty years old following the passing of my older sister, Celene," shares Perez. "It's taken years to process, and seeing how it's colored everything in my life, it feels like a flag down in the sand at a checkpoint rather than a destination. And there was water everywhere for miles, and a girl met me there every time. I have been loved through my grief."

The album opens with the breakout hit "Sailor Song." It's an instant classic that encapsulates intense devotion to one's partner with a catchy melody and vivid imagery of a siren luring in a sailor. The following track, "Sleeping," is an excellent introduction to the beauty that unfolds throughout the rest of the project. It also highlights the fact that Perez's talent and legacy can and will be more enduring than fleeting internet fame.

In "Sugar Water," Perez reminisces about her childhood, specifically growing up with her now-deceased sister. With backing vocals repeating, "I want it bad, I want it back," this song captures the yearning for something you have lost. Although the memories Perez shares are her own, she writes in a way that feels so familiar and relevant to the listener, allowing them to slip into the world of the song and evoke their own memories and emotions in the process.

"Chemistry," the heartbreaking "Survivor's Guilt," and the mournful "Crown," whose lyrics clearly describe Perez's grief over losing her sister. It tackles Perez's grief combined with her religious trauma in a smooth, gentle ballad featuring straightforward lyrics like, "And it's only when you're dead they'll put a crown on your head." It ultimately tells the vital story of placing priorities in the right place and serves as a callout to people who don't. Overall, it's a beautiful way to honor the individual who inspired Perez to continue pursuing music.

The final song, the title track "At The Beach, In Every Life," perfectly wraps up the entire album. It circles back to all the recurring themes we've met throughout the collection and features Perez's stirring vocals and songwriting accompanied by raw acoustic guitar and harmonies. She sings her heart out on lines like, "And how could you be no one when you're everything to me?" and, "If my dreams come up empty, and I wash up on the shore, you would find me at the beach in every life, through every door," expressing a deep, unconditional love that can be interpreted as a sibling, friend, lover or parent. The track, and therefore the album, closes with one last tear-inducing voice message, uttering the words, "I love you. Goodbye."

Listen to At The Beach, In Every Life below: