Alternative Indie from Nicole Saphos

The indie music scene is full of rising stars, and one name that is quickly gaining traction is Nicole Saphos. With her unique blend of jazz and indie rock, Saphos is carving out a niche that is all her own. The LA-native, Philadelphia-based artist is known for her harmonically bold and rhythmically driven original music, and her latest single, “More”, is no exception.

Inspired by off-beat 70s California singer-songwriters like Warren Zevon and Jackson Browne, “More” is a slow-burning indie rock song that showcases Saphos’ vocal range and songwriting ability. The song features an introspective and nostalgic tone that is reminiscent of ballads from an earlier generation. The chords and instrumentation of the song evoke a similar era of heartland rock, but the lyrical tone brings to mind classic ballads like Skeeter Davis’ 1962 hit “The End of the World”.

Saphos is not afraid to take risks with her music, and “More” is a testament to this. In a nod to Brian Wilson’s production style on the iconic Pet Sounds album, Saphos made the unusual choice to include both upright and electric bass simultaneously on the track. The result is a lush and layered sound that is both unique and memorable. The cascading backing vocals on the bridge of the song are particularly noteworthy, adding a dreamy quality to the track.

The song builds to an epic guitar solo, before ending reflectively on the question; “maybe another life, maybe another world?” The lyrics explore themes of longing and regret and serves as a poignant meditation on the choices we make in life and the roads we didn’t take.

Saphos’ talents are not limited to her vocal and songwriting abilities. She also plays multiple instruments on the track, including Fender Rhodes, upright bass, ukulele, and Conn Organ. She is joined by her long-time bandmates, Ele Rubenstein on drums and electric bass and John Lee on guitar, who bring their own unique flavour to the song.

The album cover photo was taken in the California desert at Joshua Tree, and the pictured piano has been left out in the elements since 2004. This image perfectly captures the nostalgic and wistful tone of the song. It’s a reminder that even though time marches on, some things remain the same.

“More” is the second single from Saphos’ forthcoming full-length album Figure Eights, which is set to drop on February 24th. The single has already received critical acclaim from music critics, and it’s not hard to see why. Saphos’ unique blend of jazz and indie rock, combined with her emotive lyrics and memorable hooks, make her an artist to watch in 2023.

“More” is a stunning addition to Saphos’ growing catalogue of dazzling music. The song’s introspective lyrics, lush instrumentation, and memorable hooks make it a standout track that is sure to capture the attention of music lovers everywhere. With her forthcoming album Figure Eights dropping soon, it’s clear that Nicole Saphos is an artist on the rise, and we can’t wait to hear what she has in store for us next.

Listen to More below