Sydney Rose Shares the Coming-of-Age Story Behind Her Debut Album, One Sided

20-year-old singer-songwriter Sydney Rose first won our hearts last summer with her dreamy single "i'll never get over it," and with the release of her debut album, One Sided, the same heartfelt lyricism and honey-like vocals we first fell in love with are on full display.

The album is out today, consisting of 13 honest and emotional tracks that pull back the production for an acoustic approach that allows Sydney's voice to soar. They share her authentic experiences—of lonesomeness, growth and her journey of self-acceptance—in a way that only Sydney's music can, and we had the pleasure of catching up with Sydney to find out all about the album and what it means to her in the interview below.

Sweety High: What does the album title One Sided mean to you? Why did that line from "Filing Our Papers" like the perfect summation of this group of songs?

SR: While writing all of the songs off of this album, I had never felt so alone in my life. I felt like One Sided was the perfect word to describe how I was feeling in every aspect of my life at the time. Friendships, relationships and feelings all felt one-sided. I remember listening to "Filing Our Papers" in my car and listening to the one-sided line and immediately calling my mom, telling her that the album was gonna be called One Sided.

 (Photo credit: Caity Krone)

 

SH: What do you feel are the overarching themes of the album? What kind of feel do you hope fans take away from it?

SR: I feel like some of the biggest themes of the album are growing up, self-pity and self-acceptance. I've always hated change and I've always hated the fact that some of my friendships and relationships were changing, and I could do nothing to stop it. I was beating myself up for trying so hard to stay in the past. The ending of the album reflects on how I realize that not everything is my fault and that everything will be okay.

 

Also read about: Sydney Rose Explores the Bittersweet Side of Everlasting Love in 'I'll Never Get Over It'

 

SH: How would you describe the album's sound? Production-wise, how did you go about bringing these tracks to life?

SR: I really wanted to go back to my roots for this album. When I first started making music, I recorded everything via voice memo and I wanted the album to really have that bedroom, minimalistic, raw feeling to it. Some of the songs were one-takes, and some of the songs had very minimalistic instruments added to them, whether it was guitar, horns or strings.

 

SH: How do you feel that these songs represent where you all are in life right now?

SR: Of course, there are some songs that I'm always going to relate to, like "Cool Girl" and "You'd Be Stars," but I feel like the rest of the songs really represent a time in my life when I felt stuck. The last song on the album is kind of like the resolution for me. I know now, after all this time, not everything is my fault and it's okay that things change. I don't have control over everything.

 (Photo credit: Caity Krone)

 

SH: What's your favorite song on the album? Why?

SR: I would have to say "Unmade Bed." I remember writing that song with Charlie Oriain and telling him that I have to save this song for the album. I waited almost two years to reveal that song. It's probably one of my favorite songs that I've ever made. I love everything about it—the production, the strings, the metaphor, the lyrics and the way it makes me feel. I think it's one of my best-sounding songs.

 

Also read about: Zach Seabaugh Breaks Down Every Track on His Debut Album, Mr. Nobody

 

SH: Was there anything that surprised you about the process of recording and putting together your debut album?

SR: I was surprised by how naturally everything came together. It's almost like me and [producer] Jake Libassi had telepathic powers. We both knew exactly how we wanted the song to sound. I was also surprised with how easy the tracklist was to make. It almost felt like I was putting together a storyline.

 

SH: How are you feeling about releasing it to the world?

SR: I'm feeling relieved. It's taken me such a long time to write the songs and make them as perfect as possible. But of course, I am very nervous. It's like giving everyone a personal diary with my deepest, darkest thoughts and feelings. I hope those thoughts and feelings can be related to, and maybe people can be touched by what I have made.

 

SH: Is there anything else we should know about One Sided?

SR: One Sided is for the people who are trying their darn hardest to keep it together. For the people pleasers and for the ones who feel so much all of the time. It's not your fault. Keep throwing rocks <3

 (One Sided via Public Consumption)

 

For more artist interviews on our favorite new albums, click HERE to hear from Zoe Wees on her debut album, Therapy.