She Is Sound

Sometimes a song just strikes the right chord and you’re immediately hooked. This was my experience from the moment I heard the clean electric guitar melody that makes up the Intro of “She Is Sound”. With only 53 monthly listeners on Spotify at the time of writing, I knew I had accidentally stumbled upon a truly independent masterclass in songwriting and engineering.

Lyrically, the song evokes a feeling more than it outlines a story – which I prefer. I want to be transported emotionally rather than explained to. So, despite quite a bit of repetition in the lyrics, the song itself doesn’t feel repetitive. The clean electric guitar in the intro is so grounded in melody that it’s almost familiar. The backing vocals also add a layer of sonic harmony that helps differentiate the various sections. “As lights went up she was sound. A burning love turned up loud.” To me, using the word “sound” here conjures the image of a ship – steady, seaworthy, and ready for the journey ahead. If you’ve ever been in a truly stable relationship, it carries a similar sense of quiet confidence, like setting out together across open water.

A second guitar filling the higher end of the fretboard enters as the verse continues. “Minus all of the hurt. Minus all of the worry. Time dissolves in you girl. It's a wonder you're sorry.” As most relationships go, things clearly aren’t perfect here. But despite the mistakes we make, we move forward in trust. As we enter a pre-chorus of sorts, the subject confirms this intent: “None of the lines seem to add up. But the answer's right. None of the lines seem to add up. She is sound tonight.” Sometimes you just have to go with your heart despite what your head may say.

The refrain, “She is sound tonight”, comes with a breakdown of the song that gives a sense of grandeur and determination. An overdriven guitar, layered vocal harmonies, and a fresh drum pattern give the chorus a fuller sense of depth. I love the decision-making here. The chorus itself is simple on paper, but without it the song would feel far too thin.

The song continues in a steady, predictable manner, symbolic of the message it conveys, with the only addition being a female background vocalist riffing during the final chorus and outro. The warm production and thoughtful, mature choices elevate this relatively simple song beyond what a less experienced artist might achieve with the same source material. So, Zach, consider your monthly listener count up one.