Sarah Kinsley – “The King”

SXSW 2022 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 7 

Pairs Well With…Claud, Maggie Rogers, Jenny Lewis

Twenty-year old Sarah Kinsley released her first EP in 2021 after a few well received singles and a massive Tik Tok following. Kinsley sings personal and at times operatic mid-tempo dream pop. Her voice is soft, even delicate, but she knows how to create drama with soaring choruses and orchestration based around synth lines and steady back beat percussion. The star of the album is the title track, “The King”, a lush radio friendly love song that features a dramatic and sweeping chorus paired with some throwback “ah’s” and kick drum. Other quality tracks that build nicely include “Caught Up in a Dream” and “Karma”. “I am Not a Mountain” is a more straightforward piano pop ballad which reflects her early classical composer influences. Kinsley’s soaring vocals and strong production should allow these songs to hold their own in whatever venues she plays in Austin. (David Zlotnick)