Sarah Klang - “Creamy Blue"

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 9; Popularity Index: 6

Pairs Well With…Adele, Lana Del Rey, Cat Power

Highly romantic and cinematic, Sarah Klang’s sophomore record Creamy Blue continues to grow her sound beyond her once tender, alt-country roots. Washed-out electrics, psychedelic pop layers, jazz inflections, and crying slide guitars all softly find their place on Creamy Blue, a full canvas for Klang’s insanely rich vocal. An unmatched instrument itself, Klang has a tone that rips at the heart and dynamically moves around an impressively wide range. It’s a sound that turns soft ballads like “It’s Been Heaven Knowing You” and “11:11” into life-affirming moments of grace and power, and leads more mid-tempo numbers with emotional resonance. (Kevin McStravick)

2018 Review: This one is about the voice. Sarah Klang’s instrument is one of deep, rich textures, every note elevated by her natural, smoky tone. Klang has a few singles to her name so far, the best being the most recent. “Lover” has a little more punch than the rest, driving her alt country modes to an all-out anthem by song’s end. Otherwise, Klang tends to keep her music on the low-key side, accompanied by a piano or guitar to provide space for her vocal to flourish. European folk influences mix with whiskey-soaked blues for melodies to waver with emotion, a purposeful timidness that lets vulnerability play robustly.