Sienna Spiro Explores Duality in Impressive Debut EP 'SINK NOW, SWIM LATER'
Photo: Blacksocks
At 19, emerging artist Sienna Spiro has finally released her highly-anticipated debut EP, SINK NOW, SWIM LATER. Spiro's early success in the industry, drawing comparisons to Frank Ocean, Amy Winehouse, and Etta James with her soulful, jazz-infused approach to contemporary pop, is truly inspiring. Her music stands out for its unique blend of soulful, jazz-infused contemporary pop. The EP, crafted with top-tier producers, like J Moon, Yakob, and Fred Ball, is a conceptual body of work divided into two emotional halves—"SINK" and "SWIM." The first half explores heartbreak, grief, and self-doubt. In contrast, the second half offers a sense of growth, clarity, and transformation, ultimately bringing us to the final point of an emotional revival that reflects an intensely personal body of work.
On the record opener, "BUTTERFLY EFFECT," we are greeted with ascending and descending piano notes before Spiro's emotional voice comes in strong with the opening lyric "Goddamn." In the hook, she reflects on her butterfly effect, leaving her loved one. Spiro sings, "If only I had left that evening / I would never crave the feeling / Never would've come to see you / On a red-eye on a redo / If I never heard that name / I could look at you the same / I can't afford to lose you, honey / So maybe you pretend to love me," her voice rising in both tone and intensity as the chorus comes to a climax with the final lyrics.
"MAYBE." is a confessional portrait of overcoming infatuation and reclaiming her freedom from the opening lines, "All I wanted / Was to be your hostage / For you to tie me up and never let me leave." As the song develops, her vocals, which shift from tender to powerful, showcase her incredibly expressive range, leaving the audience in awe. Threaded with elegant piano work, the track sustains a spellbinding intensity from start to finish, ultimately reaching a glorious peak in its final moments as Spiro belts her determination to move on from heartbreak.
"ORIGAMI" is a hypnotic effort that boasts a gently imaginative arrangement of shadowy beats, surreal textures, and gorgeously strange vocal effects. It paints a picture of obsession, telling the tale of longing for someone who doesn't even know you exist, creating a rare harmony of yearning and determination with lines like, "I found a new religion / You're the only mission," highlighting Spiro's vulnerable yet magnetic lyrical capabilities.
The record's closer, "CYANIDE," amps the tempo with a vibrating full jazz-rock orchestration. Her smooth delivery on lines like, "Maybe I should drink some cyanide / Anything to make me disappear / Call a man to make feel alive / Cuz I don't really care bout nothing at all," mixed with the haunting production creates a divine sonic experience as she reflects on a love that's come to an end and what could have been. By the end of the track and the record, she croons amid the summery yet waning instrumentation her last intentions, "And that's all I'll ever do / Listening to Jay / Tryna feel something."
SINK NOW, SWIM LATER arrives as Spiro continues her steady rise to music stardom, a thrilling and promising journey. Sienna's rapid ascent in the music industry is a testament to her talent and the power of her music to resonate with a wide audience, making her an inspiration for aspiring artists and music enthusiasts alike.
Listen to SINK NOW, SWIM LATER below:
