The long awaited release of American singer Sasha Sloan’s debut album Only Child finally came to reality after Sloan’s two years of releasing EPs containing an average of six songs each. She’s known for co-writing and writing top hits for musicians like Camila Cabello, Charli XCX, John Legend, and Katy Perry. The album was released October 16th, 2020, with 10 songs calling it home. Sloan’s usual pop persona took another turn, with Only Child sitting in the alternative/indie genre.
Sloan expresses her vulnerability with songs about loneliness, loss, and childhood issues. Although her healing and happiness are shown throughout the record. The album opener, titled “Matter To You” indicates how she never felt seen or noticed, even in an overpopulated place like New York City. The song takes a positive turn, when she finally finds joy in mattering to someone else. A very similar track titled “Hypochondriac” shares the same feeling. Sloan reveals how she never cared for herself or survival until she met her significant other. Throughout the relationship, she seems to be in denial, with the upbeat track “Lie” where she feels as if her partner is plotting on leaving.
One of Sloan’s strengths in songwriting is how she can take a touchy subject like insecurities, mental health and relationships, and convert it into a song.”House With No Mirrors” speaks of Sloan’s insecurities growing up and how she would be more content with herself if she didn’t have that self-doubt. Sasha’s loneliness as a kid has a spotlight, with the title track “Only Child” fantasizing her life if she had a brother or sister to share company with. She consistently brings up her childhood on the album, referring to the song “Santa’s Real” with Sloan harmonizing her ideal world which includes good people, the inability to get sick, the lack of financial instability, and the existence of the magical creatures she believed in as a little kid.
For me, this record has to be one of the best I’ve heard all year. This album does have a parental advisory sticker on the cover due to curse words that high school students hear on the daily. I appreciate how Sloan brings attention to things that we should be more content with, like mental health, loneliness, mixed emotions, and relationships. She is an underrated artist with a handful of talent and has most likely written your favorite song that’s always on the radio. I give this album 5 out of 5 talons up!