Spotlight: Sara Jackson Releases “Supercinematic”

Did you know that Mission Music Foundation is based in Los Angeles!? While we were founded in New Jersey, Mission Music Foundation has since built strong headquarters in Los Angeles. As a result, I (Blake) know of artists based on both coasts of the United States. Through all these connections, the one thing that I have not seen in my time (up until now) is an artist that has genre-bended electronic-pop and classical music. Today’s artist has done just that and as a result, changed the game of music in a way that has previously been unheard of.

Sara Jackson

This singer-songwriter has been around for a hot minute, and as a result, has built up an incredibly strong fanbase. Her first single was way back in 2010 which featured 3 songs and all in the holiday spirit. Since she has released 14 singles including several in the more recent years. Sara broke through the waters and into the music scene in 2010 where she also released her debut album. Her sophomore album was released in 2012 which featured a total of 13 tracks. You’ll notice that with every release, Sara eliminates the barriers between classical and electronic pop, almost creating an entirely new genre with her music. If you are disabled, Sara is also a more accessible artist by providing subtitles or lyrics to her music videos. By doing this, she adds another door to welcome disabled fans to her music. You’ll also notice that each video is completely different from the others and adds an extra layer of the story to each track. With over 25,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, it is so clear that Sara knows what she is doing and is able to do it well.

Supercinematic

This 10 track album is most definitely Sara’s personality. The album starts out with Vaseline which talks about wanting to change but feeling stuck, dissociation, and anxiety. This song is the perfect entrance to the album, as it brings up what Sara has been dealing with. The rest of the EP begins to talk about what to do with the pain.

In Air changes the emotion from Vaseline as the beat changes from heavy, dark, and loathing, to bubbly, upbeat, energetic, and warming. This track in particular is interesting to listen to, as it goes into the descriptive part of dissociation, and how it is used as a coping skill. This song also mentions some light lacks of emotional permanence.

Garden of Me changes the vibe to a more holiday vibe with the instrumentation, while the vocals add a Mariah Carey vibe to them. This song takes you back to Sara’s roots in her debut album that is breathless, hopeful, and relaxing. This song in particular is an anthemic ode to past selves, a reminder that time softens the sharp edges of suffering. Sweet as spring rain, it is triumphant, glittering, and resplendent-- her most optimistic answer to her gnawing obsession-- "what do we do with our pain?"

The fourth track, and the title track of the album, Supercinematic slows down the album with a meditative tone both instrumentally and vocally. While In Air and Garden of Me are more dancing Supercinematic is more of an enchanting song that has dark lyrics. The first few seconds will make you think that you are entering a rock song, though the song develops into a more emotional, yet classical pop song. The song brings up topics of addiction, pain, and emotionally draining relationships.

Odyssey picks the album back up to a fast-paced, groovy track. This song in particular talks about what the future could hold, desires, and dreams. The outro features a unique fade out which definitely fits the electronic vibe of her discography.

Water With Ice starts out slow, and slowly builds up to a darker piano vibe that may make you think that you are entering a dark, yet enchanted forest. This song in particular talks about depression, wanting to change, desires, and wanting to feel more like yourself. Wanting to escape dark emotions. This song fits into Sara’s writing well as she takes on a more descriptive take on some of the harsh emotions. Water With Ice also mentions how she doesn’t know herself before this change, from childhood, now in adulthood.

Fool of the Renaissance Faire talks about feeling fake from her past. This song mentions alcohol addiction, and drinking to escape. This song also mentions feeling isolated, alone, an outcast even in your favorite environment. If you are someone with social anxiety, depression, or ever felt that you could not be yourself in any environment, this song is for you. The instrumentation makes you think of a drama, crime, tv show that features close-ups of Sara.

River Queen is a heavier song emotionally, asking the listener to know that they are not alone in their struggles. The desires of giving the listener hope, freedom, happiness, or another general escape from their dark times. This song also brings up the fear of abandonment and almost staying, “I’d do anything for you, if only you never abandon me”. This song is perfect for anyone with abandonment issues and especially for those with Borderline Personality Disorder.

My Man changes the album’s focus from mental health, trauma, and dissociation to love and affection. This song is a very sweet love song that explains unconditional love in a slow-dance type song. Sharing about how no matter what happens, I’ll be there for you. As if nothing could keep the couple apart.

Easy To Love is the final track of the album and arguably, one of the best tracks to wrap up this album. This song has a fear of abandonment attached to it, an element of trauma, being invalidated, and wanting to feel at home. The instrumentation may make you think of an event similar to graduation, while the vocals are sung in a soft, yet powerful tone that leaves you breathless. This song would also be great for anyone that has experienced trauma, has abandonment fears, (especially those with Borderline Personality Disorder) or has ever been invalidated by those that matter most.

Overall

It is now apparent that Sara Jackson has continued to defy genres in music by creating a variety of new tracks on Supercinematic. The singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, California has gained an incredible amount of attention that is well-deserved. Will Sara be the face of Classic Electronic Pop music? I guess we will have to stick around to find out

Written by: Blake Matthews (he/him)