Single Review: Sandman by Alicia Clifford

 Alicia Clifford’s "Sandman" is a great track about being stuck in that frustrating situationship where you love someone who is clearly leading you on.

It sounds similar to artists like Gracie Abrams and Noah Cyrus, featuring a blend of raw, soothing vocals and a simple, driving acoustic guitar that eventually shifts to a focused piano bridge.

The song's power comes from its honesty. The lyrics, especially lines like, "But I know I'll be fine, because I know you're not mine anyway," perfectly capture the bittersweet moment of giving up.

What makes the song smart is the use of the "Sandman" metaphor. It's a subtle nod to the "Sandman Effect"—a psychological term for becoming unhealthily and deeply dependent on another person's emotional state. This detail really emphasizes the mental toll of relying on someone unreliable.

In short: It's a relatable, well-produced song that validates the emotional and mental exhaustion of uncommitted love.


 Stream Sandman Here!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Artist Interview: Meiia

Image
With a sound that effortlessly fuses soul, pop, and funk, Australian artist Meiia is quickly carving out her place in the alt-pop world. Her upcoming single “Boys Like You” channels sharp-witted lyricism, bold grooves, and emotional honesty, all delivered with her signature vocal sass. In this interview, Meiia opens up about being ghosted (again), the thrill of collaboration, and what it means to find empowerment in hindsight. We caught up with her to talk about her creative process, growing up surrounded by stellar music, and the realities of navigating the music industry with humor, resilience, and a whole lot of heart. Tori: What inspired the creation of your upcoming single "Boys Like You," and what message do you hope listeners take away from the song? Meiia: This song was so fun to make! The topic, however, not so fun. The meaning behind it really came from being ghosted so many times for literally no reason at all. And then, like actual clockwork—they would always come...
Read more

Artist interview: Alex Haines

Image
  Today, chat with Alex Haines, a captivating artist whose journey in music began even before she could speak. From belting out "I'm a Little Teapot" in a high chair to crafting intricate melodic metal, Alex has forged a unique path as a self-producing musician. Join us as we delve into her earliest musical memories, the inspirations behind her powerful songwriting, and the pivotal moments that shaped her solo career, including her upcoming EP, "The Rain on Your Parade." Tori: Given your deep history with music, singing since before you could talk, what's your earliest memory of connecting with music on an emotional level? Alex: I’ll give you a few, since they all feel connected. My earliest memory is of sitting in a high chair, singing “I’m a Little Teapot” (replete with interpretive dance) while my parents cheered me on, like an audience watching a legitimate stage performance. It felt magical. Months later, I learned to walk while “California Dreamin” by ...
Read more

Artist Interview: Shallo

Image
  Meet SHALLO, the Dublin-based duo composed of Shawn and Willow, blending alternative rock and metal with high-energy live performances. In this interview, they share the story behind their music, their creative process, and what's next for the band. Tori: Congrats on your new single “Betrayal”! Can you tell us about the story behind it and how it came together? Shawn: It began with me having an initial idea for most of the song. I knew what I wanted the lyrical theme to be, and the riffs and melodies followed that. Most of our songs begin with that anyway, and I record it all into my computer and send it off to Willow. Willow: When I got the first draft of the song, one of the first ideas I had was in the bridge. The original version that Shawn sent me did not have any vocals for the bridge, just the riff. Shawn straight up told me "Do something here". This gave me the space to come up with the bridge vocal part that thematically fit the song. Tori: What was the inspir...
Read more