This post was updated Jan. 20 at 7:33 p.m.

Drawing back the curtain on her artistic evolution, Sarah Solomon’s vulnerable lyricism is on full display.

With the release of her newest single “Window” on Dec. 9, the UCLA alumnus and singer-songwriter is taking the next step in her musical career, proving her independence as an artist in the industry. The single marks her first self-produced track, Solomon said, allowing her to retain full control of the song’s authentic and electronic-inspired sound. Pushing past mental blocks and learning curves, the neo-soul singer said the single’s release resembled a fresh start for herself, demonstrating her strength not only as an individual but as an artist.

“This was the first song where I felt like I was actually the main person in charge,” Solomon said. “It was a really empowering experience because I wasn’t sure if I could actually finish a song before I finished this one.”

The first verses of “Window” can be traced back to 2019, Solomon said, as she took a hiatus from the song before returning to finish it four years later at UCLA. Taking inspiration from her undergraduate music production courses, Solomon said she used the track for a class assignment, building on the original demo with elements of external sampling and self-constructed synths. Solomon added that the requirements of the assignment encouraged her to push the boundaries of her previously acoustic-leaning sound, leading to the electronic tone of the final track.

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The course’s sampling expectations compelled her to incorporate imagery in her storytelling, Solomon said, bringing in voicemail messages, voice memos and atmospheric sound bites. The single explores a past relationship, using the metaphor of a window to symbolize the transitory point between romanticizing a relationship and letting the outside world back in, she said. In the songwriting process, Solomon said the implementation of auditory cues, such as the crunching of leaves, allowed her to reflect on specific conversations and emotionally charged memories.

“For me, the song was really visual,” Solomon said. “I wanted to bring the visual stuff that I was seeing to life in the song, so that other people could have some images, too, in their head.

Growing up in gospel choir and piano lessons, Solomon said her childhood was surrounded by music. Her second single, “Take Me to Space,” was produced by her father, a songwriter and music producer who stepped back into a mentorship role for her latest release, Solomon said. Longtime friend and fellow singer-songwriter Amanda Rosen said Solomon’s decision to self-produce allowed her to fully showcase her artistic voice, embedding creative details throughout the layered production.

“I really commend her for producing her own songs,” Rosen said. “She’s really been able to take ownership and make the decisions and that’s inspired me to really think and … go outside the box to add things to songs.”

In order to arrange “Window” for live performances, Solomon’s band member and third-year global jazz studies student Dawson Lau said much of the electronic synth sounds had to be adapted to live instruments. During a recent performance at Adults Only in Hollywood, Solomon said the new single was an audience favorite, empowering her to share her artistic voice at the intimate venue.

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As the writing of the song spanned several years, the different verses reflect varied perspectives on the alluded-to relationship, Solomon said, acknowledging the normalcy of reminiscing about past partners. Lau said Solomon’s ability to share deeply personal experiences in a way that resonates with listeners is what stands out about her raw and honest lyricism. Resembling a melting pot of musical influences, Solomon’s sound is continuously evolving as she intertwines various genres from indie pop to soul, Lau added.

“I think Sarah has a sound and every time she releases something or writes something, I feel like I’m hearing more and more of Sarah,” Lau said. “I think her older work, I could definitely hear her influences more, but then as I go in … the lines are blurred, and there’s just Sarah.”

Preparing to release a new single, followed by her debut EP, Solomon said her upcoming work will focus on self-growth and her authenticity as an artist. In self-producing “Window,” Solomon said she struggled with comparing herself to peers, having relied primarily on collaborators in her previous releases. Driven by her own struggles with self-doubt and internal criticism, Solomon said she hopes to express the vulnerable and candid aspects of her artistic journey, encouraging listeners to pursue their goals.

“A phrase I’m kind of using right now is ‘growing in real time,’” Solomon said. “I’m growing in front of my audience, they’re growing with me, we’re on this journey together.”