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Listen: Sansa - Savior

Exclusive Listen Track By Track

Sansa talks us through her debut album track by track, accompanied by an exclusive stream.

Finland's Sansa talks us through her debut album, 'Savior', track by track, which we've popped together nicely with an exclusive stream of the LP, produced by longtime collaborator Janne Oinas, below. Magic.

1. Waiting For the Sky
I wrote more than three versions of this song - the shape of the chorus searched for its form for quite a period. I played the song at all my gigs after I first wrote it and naturally it evolved that way too. First it had a dark bluesy vibe but after playing it to my producer Janne Oinas, we both decided to make it more aggressive and electronic which I think was good move. I was pretty anxious when I wrote the song, I had a long moment of solitude which was hard to bear. The main purpose of the song is that the change comes from within - no one from the outside can make you feel better with yourself.

2. Black Brick Wall
'Black Brick Wall' is a song about lost innocence. It's like a surrealistic dream after something really bad has happened. You have one eye closed and another slightly ajar. Actually the chorus was finished before the verses were even there but fortunately the verses came alive too. 

3. Boys (Summertime Love)
I like to try out different cover songs on my gigs and this one certainly made a reaction with the audience. I remember that the arrangement came out easily, I felt it was there directly. It has simple chords but a strong melody and even a stronger mood. I'd like to know what Sabrina thinks about my version. Really!

4. Faults In My Armour
The song is about not giving up but trying harder. It's about making your faults as your best qualities by approving them as a part of yourself. A cliche but it works. This song is the one my audience insists to hear at gigs, they love it! The production of the song is very "Ace of Base-ish", light and groovy.

5. Black & White
This song is about a journey which is sometimes essential for being able to see the beauty around you. I think when you are in a situation where you really have to humble yourself you'll grow bigger as a person. I love the simple and unpretentious trip-hop arrangement of the song.

6. Rainbow Child
The final version of the lyric came out when I was lying on the sofa at the control room in the studio. I wanted to write something positive, tolerant and joyful for the uplifting composition. For me the song is about letting go, being yourself and enjoying life as it comes to you. I created the music with my looper which is the reason why the composition is more functional and layered.

7. Gone To My Head
First, I wrote a sketch of the song for one Finnish youth movie but luckily they didn't pick up the draft. I decided to finish the song anyway and it became a song on 'Savior', dealing with heartache and longing. It has similar themes to 'Waiting For The Sky'. The arrangement is monotonic but it's still very dynamic and naturally there's a charming doom in the end.

8. Savior
'Savior' is the most intimate song for me on the album. It's part of the reason why I've chosen 'Savior' as the album title as well. The song was born with ease, it just sort of appeared. I always say that music saved me from a life of down and out. This song is a praise to music and it has a subtle country vibe on it.

9. The Night
This is a cover song of Valerie Dore, famous Italian singer back from the 80's. I heard this song on YouTube for the first time and it caught my attention immediately. I loved it and wanted to cover it. I think the chorus is brilliant but in the original version the production kind of suppressed it. I hope that my version would be a respect to the song and especially to the chorus.

10. Can't Keep My Eyes Off You
I created this song using my looper. It's a dance song, a very simple one though, but I like it very much. When I play it live I can put my guitar aside and dance together with the audience! It feels refreshing and free.

11. Know Too Well
It's just one of those songs that are like gifts. I can't explain it. It was live recording. I was shaking while I was singing and playing the song. But I felt such a happiness for the moment even though the sadness of the lyric took a hold of me. Oh, very sensitive one. It's a memory I embrace.

12. Is It You
I once had a boyfriend who was gorgeous but I found it out after the relationship was already over. You don't know what you got till it's gone, like Joni sings. Janne wanted to cut out the chords and make them tight loops underneath the vocals and it worked out really well.



Sansa's new album 'Savior' will be released on 14th May via KoolMusik.