Review
By Ava Alers
Sabrina Mae Teitelbaum (Blondshell)
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons. Released into the public domain by its author, Paul Hudson. This applies worldwide.
Sabrina Mae Teitelbaum is an American musician from New York who made her debut as
“Blondshell” in 2022. She released her single “Olympus” shortly before her self-titled album launched worldwide, and is now based in Los Angeles, Calif.
Since then, Blondshell has gone on tour as both an opener and headliner. She opened for Suki Waterhouse’s Coolest Place in the World tour and performed at various festivals, including Lollapalooza and Governor’s Ball.
In the past, Teitelbaum had tried other sounds under the name “BAUM” before she settled upon the 90s-esque indie rock sound she has today. The plain black and white background of her debut album is a hint at the vulnerable music inside the record. Her songs address themes of substance abuse and self-destructive tendencies, while the emotional lyrics contrast the sounds of booming drums and heavy strings.
In her debut track “Olympus”, the words being sung over the melancholy beat tell a story about the struggles of overcoming addiction. There is pain in leaving behind the people you used to spend your days with. People create relationships with those they have things in common with. Teitelbaum shares the pain of trying to move on from alcoholism when you crave the touch of the person with whom you engaged in those behaviors.
Listening to “Blondshell” is akin to diving into the cold blue water during a dreadful heat wave. The intense record’s self-awareness is refreshing among the sea of facades presented everywhere. Teitelbaum is not afraid to lift the veil and reveal her truth without shame.
Listening to her music casually makes you reflect in the mirror. She is so brutally honest with herself that it forces you to do the same. You have no choice but to face the dark parts of you that you try to repress.
This is the beauty of Teitelbaum’s music and the reason to look out for Blondshell’s name in the media. She’s not just another indie rock artist, she’s a stand out that should be listened to, observed, promoted, and loved.
Her live performances are an art that everyone should witness. The studio version has nothing on the intense scene she presents to the audience. Even without knowing her music, you have no choice but to be enamored by her powerful voice backed with captivating instrumentals.
Blondshell has just released three singles for their new record “If You Asked For A Picture”, which is set to release on May 2, 2025. A tour by the same name is in the works for 2025, with multiple shows receiving venue upgrades due to the high demand of the artist.
Blondshell is only gaining more and more well-deserved recognition. She is the one to be
watching out for in the future.
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