Sarah goes solo

Sarah goes solo Scream * Sarah Bettens * Hybrid

On her debut solo disc, Sarah Bettens keeps the music bouncing along like the veteran she is. As singer-guitarist for indie outfit K's Choice for more than a decade, Bettens has racked up 3 million in sales and toured both with the Indigo Girls and as a headliner. The lesbian musician brings it all to play on Scream, an alt-pop meditation that is equal parts brain and beat. Moving effortlessly from guitar-fueled scorchers ("Scream") to string-filled torch songs ("Don't Let Me Drag You Down"), Bettens sings like a woman who's moved beyond world-weary to find the wonder and joy of everyday life. She's not blind to the ugly sides of life--"Not Insane" addresses the politics of the closet, while in "Don't Stop" she counsels, "Don't be scared of what's ahead / But wear a helmet to protect your head." But Bettens chooses to focus on what keeps her curious and excited. From the lo-fi funky come-on of "Come Over Here" to the gorgeous love letter "I'm Okay," Bettens mixes the personal and the political to create something raw and beautiful.

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