A storytelling experience 

Liz Phair, a successful singer-songwriter, recently released her new album Soberish. She has been recording and touring with her music for over 25 years and is a Grammy-nominated artist. Her latest album gives her the space to showcase her talent. Soberish is a 13-track album that tells her personal stories through distinct production and emotional lyrics. 

The first track of the album, “Spanish Doors,” has an alternative indie-pop sound in both the production and storytelling lyrics. The central idea behind this song is watching one’s life go from perfect to falling apart in a matter of moments. She sings about hiding in the bathroom at a party and questioning what to do next and how she got into this situation. This song allows the listeners to enter into one of Phair’s emotional experiences and kicks off the album in a vulnerable way. 

In “The Game,” Phair sings about struggles in a relationship and uses production to help tell her story. She sings about someone changing the game on her once she feels comfortable and confident in their relationship. Phair is honest and sings about longing for a real relationship rather than feeling stuck playing “the chase” and “games.” Guitars are the main accompaniment as she uses both electric guitars with effects and acoustic guitars. This allows for a distinct sound as she is able to tap into her storytelling in the verses with more simple acoustic guitar accompaniment. Later in the song, she is able to show off her sound as an artist with the moving production and mystifying electric guitars. 

“In There” is the fourth track on the album that showcases another side of Phair. Synthesizers and electronic sounds back the song, which creates a more pop sound, but Phair is able to maintain her storytelling and artistry through her emotion-filled voice and honest lyrics. She sings about someone being stuck in her head after the relationship is over. She understands why it’s over, but she can not forget about them. She uses metaphors and creative lyrics to take the listener on her journey. 

For “Good Side,” Phair uses acoustic guitar to showcase her alternative indie sound. This song is one of the more optimistic on the album. She sings about leaving someone with her “good side.” She does not want her partner to feel bad, and she feels confident in leaving the relationship in the past. The optimistic message is accompanied by upbeat production that creates a reassuring feeling similar to the lyrics. 

The title track, “Soberish,” carries a similar sound to the rest of her album with guitars and upbeat storytelling. She sings about going out with someone and drinking to take the edge off. Unfortunately, she can not seem to say the right thing and feels judged by the other person. This song tells an honest and personal story that showcases her artistry through the alternative indie-pop sound and honest lyrics. 

“Dosage,” the eleventh track on the album, also showcases her alternative indie sound as she layers many acoustic and electric guitars, and she tells stories with her lyrics. She sings to someone who has been over-served and her experience confronting them and giving them advice. She is able to tell her story and captivate the listeners with her honest lyrics and emotion-filled voice. 

Overall, Soberish is a personal and emotional album that is sure to connect with listeners while showcasing Phair’s talent as a songwriter, singer and artist.