escaping with sarah kinsley
Written by Emma Cahill
Image courtesy of Dillon Matthew
I will never forget the first time I listened to Sarah Kinsley. It was in May 2021, and I was in my car listening to my Discover Weekly on Spotify when“ The King” came on. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced, and I still can’t fully describe how her music makes me feel every time I listen to it. Her production style is ethereal, nostalgic, and unapologetic. I wish I could go back and experience that first listen all over again.
Sarah Kinsley is a classically trained musician and singer-songwriter based in New York City. A rising star in the indie pop scene, she is known for crafting what I would describe as lush, cinematic soundscapes that evoke deep emotion. Kinsley plays multiple instruments, including piano and guitar, and has been producing her music from a young age. Her breakout single,“ The King”, catapulted her into the spotlight, earning praise for its complex composition and evocative lyrics. Drawing inspiration from a range of influences—from classical music to contemporary indie rock—she fuses genres to create the signature Sarah Kinsley sound.
I had the immense pleasure of joining a Zoom call with Sarah and other media outlets to discuss her album, Escaper. Listening to her talk about her craft was so inspiring. When asked if she had any special stories about the album’s production, she shared:“ It was a really fun time. It was my first experience working with another producer for an entire body of work, which was kind of daunting. And John Congleton, who I worked with, is such an idol of mine, so it was a bit strange to bear witness to his craft and how he works, and sort of the intricacies of that.”
Image courtesy of Bella Howard
She shared stories about the album’s creation, discussing how some tracks had multiple versions and how they experimented with different instruments and ideas. Reflecting on the track“ Realms,” she said:“ We spent so many days just going back and forth and trying out different instruments. At one point, I was playing piano, then singing glass bowls, and then playing strings on it. Just trying to figure out how to work out this section. I would say that was the most exciting and challenging part of the whole process.”
I was eager to ask Sarah about her production style for the record, especially how it changed when working with a different producer. I asked her what her“ PEMDAS” or order of operations was for producing Escaper.“ Oh my God, I haven’t thought about PEMDAS in a while,” she said. “My production process changed when working with John. John has worked on some legendary records, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. He worked on this record—one of my favorite projects of all time—Angel Olsen’s 2019 record All Mirrors, which is a top 10 for me. I’ve listened to that record so many times and tried to figure out how they made it, so it was surreal to experience firsthand how to make something from scratch.
“ As a producer on my own, I’m a very insular person. I like to work alone, think alone, and not be disturbed by other thoughts. That need for perfectionism and control over every variable in the environment can be great, but it doesn’t always help with collaboration. So it was a real effort to work with someone else and understand that the stem we put down—the thing we’re recording—doesn’t have to be perfect. There’s so much magic in just throwing a bunch of ideas at the wall and figuring out what works.”
Sarah’s transparency about the creative process behind Escaper is just one of the reasons this album feels so personal and immersive. The album is an incredible body of work, full of depth, rich songwriting, and impeccable production that captivates the listener from the very first note. Each track feels like a carefully crafted journey, with layers of emotion and sound that reward repeated listens. Songs like“ Realms” showcase her ability to blend the organic with the experimental, creating music that feels both timeless and fresh.
Whether it’s the soaring vocals, lush instrumentation, or introspective lyrics, Escaper pulls you into a world that feels both intimate and expansive. It’s a testament to Sarah’s growth as both a musician and a producer, proving she’s unafraid to push boundaries and explore new creative horizons. Sarah Kinsley was one of my top artists on Spotify in 2023, and with Escaper, I have no doubt she’ll hold that spot again this year. If you haven’t listened to Escaper yet, do yourself a favor and dive into this beautiful, multifaceted record. It’s available now on all streaming platforms, and I can’t wait to see what Sarah Kinsley does next—because if Escaper is any indication, she’s only getting started. Just in case you were wondering, my favorite track on the album is the title track.
