Desperation by Sarah Serkosky

Following up from her October debut “you, again,” Sarah Serkosky comes back strong with her second single, “Desperation.” Both songs are rock ballads, and would also appeal to fans of Lana Del Rey’s recent discography. Serkosky solidifies her style marked by dark timbres with heavy reverbs and light, airy harmonies, but uses “Desperation” to develop her sound as well. This single expands the soundscape to include some synths and pads that introduce just a touch of a pop production style. The lyricism on both tracks is extremely well-done, and is definitely one of the artist’s standout features. On “Desperation,” the lyrics explore the bitter frustration of separating from a love. There are lines questioning the validity of the love, but also lines exploring the conflict of wanting to be loved but knowing leaving the relationship is necessary. The lyrics of this song will resonate with listeners who have experienced toxic or manipulative relationships in the past. Sarah Serkosky delivers lyrics like “You feel like desperation but I’ve learned my lesson” in the chorus with a mix of restrained power and slight rasp that perfectly performs the emotions of making the tough decision to leave and not look back. She lets loose on more aggressive lyrics like “Let me be! I won’t let you define me anymore,” and these thoughtfully placed dynamics add to the song’s impact. Besides the vocal dynamics, the arrangement also goes through moments of delicacy and power, supporting the range of emotions portrayed in the vocal delivery. Additionally, the gritty sound of the synthesizer, although quiet in the background, adds just enough to emphasize the moments it appears in. The lyricism and vocal delivery combined with the darkness of the instrumental timbres make “Desperation” a cathartic ballad for those in early stages of heartbreak. With her strong songwriting and consistent style, Sarah Serkosky will appeal to listeners who appreciate this type of heavy artistry.